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THE LIFE 

OP 

REV. HENRY MOORE, 

BIOGRAPHER AND EXECUTOR OF REV. JOHN WESLEY; 
INCLUDING HIS 

AUTOBIOGRAPHY; 

AND A 

CONTINUATION, WRITTEN FROM HIS OWN PAPERS, 

BY MRS. RICHARD SMITH, 
\ 

Continuator of the Life of Dr. Adam Clarke, F.A.S. 
" BEHOLD MY WITNESS IS IN HEAVEN, AND MY RECORD IS ON HIGH," 



PUBLISHED BY LANE & TIPPETT, 

FOR THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 200 MULBERRY-STREET, 

JAMES COLLORD, PRINTER. 

1845. 



;XCHAN( 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



The Life of the Rev. Henry Moore, the 
personal friend and biographer of JVtr. Wes- 
ley, must be hailed with interest, and read 
with avidity, by all who are interested in the 
early history of Methodism. Besides the 
connection of his life and labors with Me- 
thodism, the personal character and eventful 
career of Mr. Moore furnish strong attractions 
to the intelligent and pious reader. The 
writer, a daughter of the late Dr. A. Clarke, 
in the work exhibits a diligence in collecting 
materials, and a judgment in the use which 
she makes of them, truly creditable to her 
character as a contributor to the literature of 
the age. We earnestly 're commend this inte- 
resting memoir, especially to the Methodist 
community. 

George Peck. 

New-York, March, 1845. 



PREFACE. 



The beneficial uses of biography generally, 
are, it is presumed, too fully admitted to re- 
quire any apology for adding another Memoir 
to the number of those already before the 
church and the world. 

Still, however, it may be necessary to make 
a few prefatory remarks, relative to the Con- 
tinuation of the Autobiography of the Rev. 
Henry Moore. 

There can be no doubt but that Mr. Moore 
fully purposed carrying on the narrative he 
had begun: — but the intention only existed, 
for he wholly delayed addressing himself to 
the task, till " procrastination, the thief of time," 
brought him to a period of life when the duty 
of doing it pressed itself painfully upon his 
mind, but the physical ability to accomplish 
the task no longer existed: Mr. Moore was 
attacked with paralysis, which nearly took 
away the use of his right hand. 

In this perplexity, while conversing on the 
subject with the writer of the following pages, 
Mr. Moore deeply regretted the non-accom- 
plishment of the task, but feelingly added — 



6 



PREFACE. 



"My right hand has now lost its cunning; I 
have neither strength in it to tear up many 
papers which ought not to survive my death, 
nor power to extract from others what should 
form the basis of the most important period 
of my life : besides — my papers are all unar- 
ranged, owing to many removals ; and without 
going over the whole mass of documents, I 
could not find any I might desire ; nor in fact 
do I know either their extent, nor in what 
they consist : I could give all the necessary 
information for the Continuation of my Auto- 
biography, for my memory on all points is 
clear ; but I could not do the work : I could 
not do it," repeated the good man, pointing to 
his nearly disabled hand, "but I have thought 
of you ; will you be my right hand ? and thus 
lessen the painful regret I feel for not having 
while able redeemed my pledge to the public, 
and given to the church of God some history 
of those events and processes by which, as 
a people, we were for so many years so 
singulary upheld, even 'while without were 
fightings, and within were fears.'" 

The conversation ended with a strongly, 
and a kindly urged request, that his friend 
would undertake the task ; and he would 
accept of no refusal, until a trial had been 
made. 



PREFACE. 



7 



The work was gradually brought down 
through its different periods, (all the papers 
having been given up for this purpose,) and 
the different portions of manuscript .were left 
with Mr. Moore for his perusal and judgment ; 
and very carefully did he examine every sheet, 
adding occasionally a few lines of his own to 
the manuscript, and at any important fact 
signing his name ; till eventually, about a 
year before his death, he returned the manu- 
script to his friend, signifying his approval of 
it, and expressing his satisfaction that the long 
promised task was accomplished, familiarly 
observing, " It only makes me look too hand- 
some." The manuscript, from his ninetieth 
to his ninety-first birth-day, was still in Mr. 
Moore's charge when he was seized with that 
fit from the effects of which he never recovered. 

In having been thus far more than sanc- 
tioned by Mr. Moore himself, the writer of 
his Continued Memoir feels less of that diffi- 
culty which would otherwise have been ex- 
perienced, had the acting spirit of the whole 
not pointed out the varied movements of time, 
place, and circumstance ; and thus opened up, 
it is hoped, a clear escape from the imputation 
of party feeling. 

The illustration of truth, and fact, have 
been the object both of inquiry and state- 



8 



PREFACE. 



ment ; and these have, as far as possible, been 
given without note or comment, wishing that 
they may strike every mind by the light of its 
own judgment, without either gloss or shading. 
Should, however, this picture of Wesleyan 
Methodism appear new to any reader, he is 
requested to consult the early printed docu- 
ments of the body of Christians with which 
Mr. Moore was united ; and at the same time 
to remember, that he was, owing to his greatly 
protracted life, a moving spring of that system, 
of whose early details the reader may have 
heard but little ; but of the history of which, 
in so far as it has been narrated in the suc- 
ceeding Memoir, the writer has sincerely 
wished and labored " Nothing to extenuate, 
nor set down aught in malice." 

A new feature in a volume of biography 
has been adopted in this work, by placing the 
date of the occurrence of the subjects related, 
and the age of Mr. Moore, in the first line of 
each successive page ; which it is hoped, and 
believed, will add considerable interest to 
the work itself. A full index has also been 
added to the work. 

Stoke Neivington, August, 1844. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Shortly after the commencement of my 
religious course, my mind became so entirely 
occupied with a consciousness of my guilty 
state before God, that no intention of recording 
any of the particulars of the mercy which I 
sought had place in my thoughts. But when 
it pleased the God of all grace to reveal his 
Son in me, and to turn my heaviness into joy, 
I seemed to consider it as my duty to make 
known to my perishing fellow-sinners, " That 
height and depth of love which is in Christ 
Jesus our Lord," — 

" Whose blood can make the foulest clean, 
Whose blood avail'd for me." 

This sense of duty increased, as I read, from 
time to time, the records of those who have 
thus given glory to God ; and which accounts 
have generally been very profitable to me, 
encouraging me to persevere "to forget the 
things behind, to reach forth to those things 

that are before, and to press to the mark for 

I* 



10 INTRODUCTION. 

the prize of the high calling of God in Christ 
Jesus." But hitherto I never had freedom of 
mind to act upon this conviction, or to comply 
with the request of those whom I greatly 
respected. 

But I am now inchned to believe that the 
time is come ; my day is far spent, and there- 
fore, unless I leave it to others, concerning 
which I have many and opposite fears, I may 
not delay to give at least an abridged account, 
that may, by the blessing of the Lord, be 
helpful to those " who are coming up out of 
the wilderness leaning upon their Beloved." 

London, January 12, 1830.* 



The Autobiography was first published at the period of this date. 



THE 

LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



BOOK I. 

FROM HIS BIRTH TO HIS MARRIAGE. 
[1751—1779.] 

I was born in the suburbs of the city of Dublin, on the 
twenty-first day of December, 1751. My parents lived in 
Drumcondra, about a mile from the city. My father, Rich- 
ard Moore, son of Henry Moore, lived on a farm which 
had been in the family for nearly a century, and to which 
he succeeded on the death of my grandfather, being his 
only surviving son. He maintained his family, partly by 
the produce of his meadows — which were very rich — and 
partly by the cattle which he bought when young, and fed 
on a part of the meadows ; thus uniting the occupations 
of farmer and grazier. He also derived an increase to 
his income by the ground-rent of several houses which 
were built on that part of his premises which skirted the 
great North Road. He was much respected, — not only 
in his neighborhood, but throughout the county ; partly, 
as I was informed, by his family being considered as a 
branch of the Drogheda family, (but I never heard it men- 
tioned by my father,) and chiefly, I believe, by some 
valuable qualities which he was believed to possess, — 
especially great probity, and considerable personal courage, 
which he had manifested on several occasions, when the 
neighborhood was in danger from robbers. 



12 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



176Z- Age 11, 



He died in the month of June, 1763, before I was twelve 
years old ; yet I remember him perfectly, and can even 
now call to mind his conversations, which were often very 
interesting. As I was also his only surviving son, his care 
seemed much engaged about me. He had received some 
learning in his youth, and retained a considerable sense of 
it in his advanced age ; he therefore seemed to set his 
heart upon giving me all the advantages, in this respect, 
which were in his power. In pursuance of his design, 
after I had been some time at a commercial school, he put 

me, at nine years of age, under the care of the Rev. 

Williamson, minister of St. Paul's, Oxmantown, and chap- 
lain to the royal barrack, who was celebrated for his 
classical attainments and general learning. 

I made some progress in Latin, so that I received the 
premium in the second form, at the Christinas examina- 
tions, a few days before I was eleven years old. I then 
began with the Greek language, and my youthful prospects 
seemed very fair ; but they were suddenly clouded in the 
course of the following year, by the death of my father, of 
a rheumatic fever, in the forty-seventh year of his age. 
My mother was thus left a widow with five children, of 
whom I was the second, and the only son. She outlived 
my father twenty-eight years ; and had, before her death, 
the honor of entertaining Mr. Wesley at her house, in his 
last visit to Ireland. 

My mother was a woman of good understanding, re- 
markable simplicity of spirit, and strong affection ; she 
also possessed much of the fear of God, and was strongly 
attached to the Established Church, as was my father also, 
and their ancestors. She had, at my father's death, no 
prospect of supporting her family, but by letting the land, 
which enabled her to live comfortably. She was, how- 
ever, afraid to continue my expensive education ; and, 
listening to the advice of her friends, she put me again to 



1763-Age 12. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



13 



a commercial school, all thoughts of a learned profession 
being laid aside. 

As my father died just before the midsummer vacation, 
I accordingly was not sent when the school reassembled. 
Mr. Williamson was, I believe, much concerned at this. 
Having conceived an affection for my father, he wished to 
have me still under his care. One day, when I returned 
from school, I found the Rev. Daniel, Mr. William- 
son's usher, sitting with my mother, and I was much 
affected at seeing him. He spoke kindly to me, and soon 
took his leave. My mother then informed me, that he 
was sent by Mr. Williamson with a kind proposal, — that I 
should again be put under his care, — that he would charge 
nothing for my education, and would also be my friend at 
the university, where he was highly honored. This pro- 
posal was to be kept an entire secret from the school. My 
mother had yielded, being overcome by the kindness of 
this excellent man, and / heard the proposal with great 
joy. I never can forget the moment of my appearance in 
the play-ground : I was surrounded by the whole school, 
with such shouting, and joyful acclamations, that I remem- 
ber it as one of the happiest days of my early life. 

My preceptor was as kind to me as could be anticipated 
from this beginning. He examined me himself, and in a 
little time put me into a higher form, which increased my 
advantages. I continued with him while he kept the 
school ; but this second fair prospect became at length 
clouded. He was intimate with several of the fellows of 
Trinity College, who used frequently to attend his school, 
and were the stated examiners for premiums : especially 
Dr. Wilson, a senior fellow, who (when several years 
after he retired on one of the college livings, which are 
reckoned the best in the kingdom) invited Mr. Wesley to 
his church and house, and treated him with great respect. 
By these learned men, Mr. Williamson was persuaded to 



14 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1163-Age 12. 



give up his school, and read for a fellowship, as it is 
called ; that is, to prepare for the examination which 
always precedes the election of a junior fellow. It is 
well known that those examinations are the most public, 
the most severe, and the most awful to the candidates, of 
any which are held at any university in Europe. They 
are attended by the archbishop of Dublin, with all the 
dignitaries ; and all the clergy who choose may also attend. 
And, besides the professors, (who are the regular examiners 
in the various departments, classical, mathematical, and 
philosophical,) every master of arts has the privilege of 
putting any question he may think proper. Generally, 
from eight to twelve candidates enter the arena. The 
examinations last several days, but seldom more than two 
continue to the end ; and the successful candidate often 
pays for his honors by a severe illness. A junior fellow- 
ship is a settlement for life : they succeed to the senior 
fellowships in rotation, and the seniors to the college 
livings, in the same way ; unless any should prefer to 
remain at the university. Several of the fellows have 
risen to the highest stations in the church, and some of 
them from a low origin. The present archbishop of Dublin, 
Dr. M'Gee, thus obtained a fellowship ; as did also the 
late bishop of Killala, who became celebrated by a very 
interesting account of the invasion of his diocese by the 
French, under General Humbert. Even an unsuccessful 
candidate is noted all his life after, as one (to use the 
common phrase) who has gone in for a fellowship. 

Mr. Williamson having acted upon the advice of his 
learned friends, I was once more set at melancholy liberty. 
He did not, however, suffer me to depart without a private 
interview ; in which he gave me the kindest advice, put 
me in mind of my father's views concerning me, and pressed 
me to continue my studies, assuring me that I might 
depend upon his friendship in that line. But this benevo- 



1770-Age 19. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



15 



lent man did not live to realize his hope respecting the 
university, or to be of any service to me. He died, not 
long after, of a violent fever. His death much affected me. 

After staying at home for a short time, my mother put 
me under the care of an artist, — a carver, a man of great 
respectability ; of whose kindness, with that of his family, 
I entertain to this day a grateful remembrance. His kind- 
ness, however, was ill-repaid by me ; for although I do not 
remember that I was ever unfaithful to any trust which 
he reposed in me, yet I was very careless of the business ; 
minding only my books, except in the hours when I was 
obliged to labor. My heart was set upon learning ; it was 
my idol. I used frequently to dream that I was at school 
again, and awaked only to weep. I even left his care, in 

hope that I might be sent to the Rev. Daniel, already 

mentioned, who had opened a school about thirty miles 
from Dublin. But I could not resist the tears of my 
mother, whom I tenderly loved, and consented to return to 
my sorrowful employment. 

My engagement with my friendly master expired while 
I was yet very young; and when I was only nineteen 
years of age, I determined to go to London, of which I 
had heard much from the workmen whom my master 
occasionally employed. My mother had many fears con- 
cerning me : but at length she consented, as I pleaded 
that I could not hope to arrive at great eminence in my 
profession if I stayed in Dublin. I accordingly set out, 
without a friend, or even a companion, and in four days 
arrived in London, not knowing how I should live, or to 
whom to apply. But a gracious Providence was over me, 
and I obtained occupation as soon as I applied for it. 

I soon became acquainted with several young men in the 
same line, and with some of them I became very intimate ; 
so that there was something like friendship between us. 
But they were like myself, without God in the world. Our 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



m\-Age20. 



leisure, and even our sabbaths, and sometimes the hours 
which ought to be spent in necessary employment, were 
consumed in what is usually called pleasure. The parks, 
Vauxhall, Ranelagh, and especially the theatres, of which 
I was a passionate admirer, quite intoxicated me ; so that 
the name of Garrick, in a play-bill, would make my heart 
vibrate with delightful anticipation. I lost, in a great 
measure, my relish for my former studies, and seemed to 
be sinking into depravity. Yet, strange to say, while I 
was thus devoted to sinful pleasure, I still held fast an 
integrity which seemed innate, and as if it could not be 
sinned away. I have disputed, and almost quarreled, 
with my most intimate companions, about their being in- 
volved in debt ; while I chose to bear many privations, 
rather than offend against that high moral sense that 
seemed to possess me. But I doubt not this also would 
have yielded, if I had continued in my rebellion against 
God, and I should have sunk into complete depravity. I 
continued in this vortex of dissipation till I was nearly of 
age, at which time I should have a sum of money to receive, 
the savings of my minority ; and wishing much to see my 
mother and sisters, I returned to Dublin. 

I was received most affectionately ; and my old master 
also manifested much good will, and gladly employed me. 
But my mind became more than ever averse to this vocation. 
I spent much of my time in reading, with frequent illapses 
into idleness and dissipation. The sight of the university 
had a painful effect upon me. I sometimes attended the 
college chapel, and often took a melancholy Avalk in its 
beautiful park. I became at times much dejected, but saw 
no way open to gratify those ambitious desires which 
possessed me ; and I at length resolved to return to London. 
This was a great disappointment to my mother, who 
wished to see me settle in business : but she was again 
induced to consent to my departure, upon the old plea, or 



Ym-AgeZl. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



17 



rather excuse, my greater improvement in the art which I 
professed. Accordingly, without staying more than a year 
at home, I again crossed the sea, and in a few days 
arrived in safety in the metropolis. 

I soon got into my old circle, and made the same attempt 
to be happy in that which is only earthly. But I found 
still more painful disappointment. Serious convictions 
revived in my mind, and I felt that " the end of those things 
is death ;" though, alas ! I generally sought refuge in dis- 
sipation from those unwelcome intruders ; while my usual 
companions were too ready to strengthen me in this " de- 
ceivableness of unrighteousness." However, I now got 
acquainted with some who were of a different character. 
They were what is called "high professors of religion;" 
but I did not like their spirit. They were, as I thought, 
self-sufficient, and spoke more of privilege than of duty. 
They were also very censorious, and seemed utterly to 
despise those who differed from them. This I knew not 
how to bear ; and consequently I could get no good from 
them. But there was one young man to whom I could 
object nothing, except that he seemed to carry his religion 
to a great extreme. I now believe that he was sincerely 
and altogether devoted to God. I found, by conversing 
with him, that he was in Mr. Wesley's connection. He 
died about a year after I became acquainted with him; 
and although I was at that time very ignorant of the nature 
of true religion, yet I had no doubt of the salvation of pious 
William Gibson. 

Through him I got, or rather was confirmed in, a good 
opinion of the Wesleyan Methodists. I had heard Mr. 
Wesley in Dublin some years before, and his venerable 
appearance much impressed me. I thought he was a good 
man ; but I was much disappointed in his preaching. I 
imagined that a public speaker, and especially a reformer, 
ought to be an orator ; and I had formed my ideal portrait 



16 



LIFE OF HEN'RY MOORE. \713-Age22. 



from heathen models. I thought it strange that a man who 
spoke with such simplicity should make such a noise in 
the world ; and the luminous exposition, and powerful 
enforcement, which used to have such an effect upon 
me in following years, seemed to pass over me in that 
day of ignorance. Yet, strange to say, I remembered 
more of his sermons than I did of any which I heard 
in my whole life. One thing I perfectly comprehended, 
— that he preached a present salvation. This astonished 
me, as I had always thought that religion could not be 
obtained but by a long and painful process ; and I had no 
conception that all things were ready. But his observations 
and arguments were so penetrating, that I seemed obliged 
to receive the great truth which he enforced. The remem- 
brance of this was of great use to me afterward, when I 
was humbled and brought to give more heed to " the things 
which make for our peace." 

I now began to attend occasionally at the Methodist 
chapels in London ; where I heard Mr. Charles Wesley 
and Mr. James Morgan. The former I attended to with 
great respect, as being a clergyman ; but his vehement, 
and what my folly pronounced, his headlong elocution, — ■ 
the art of preaching being set at utter defiance, — did not 
suit that cold attention which was all I could then give to 
the ministry of any man : although with respect to him, 
every sentence seemed an aphorism. Mr. Morgan I much 
admired : the ease of his manner, and the studied sobriety 
of his discourses, just suited my inquiring mind ; but they 
seemed to have no other effect. I forgot them almost as 
soon as I heard them. I also occasionally attended at 
the Lock chapel, where I heard Mr. de Coetlegon and Mr. 
Madan. I sometimes had gracious drawings from the 
Spirit of God, and while these lasted I used to pray. 
But, " what reason," (in its highest meaning,) " wove, by 
passion was undone." I was still unregenerate, and, con- 



1773-^e22. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE, 



19 



sequently, under the power of sin ; and I had a rooted 
opinion, that prayer was hypocrisy, and must be offensive 
to God, unless while we were entirely devoted. Any in- 
terruption, therefore, to my religious course, was followed 
by prayerless weeks, or even months. Alas ! I knew not 
the Friend of sinners, nor had I any clear conception of 
the power of his atonement and mediation. I thought, if 
I could be good, (which I considered as being in my own 
power, and that it was previously required,) I might pray 
to be enabled to persevere ; but I had no conception of 
that which I afterward found was the doctrine of the 
Church of England, — that it was necessary that "the 
grace of God by Christ should prevent us, that we may 
have a good will," as well as " work with us when we 
have that good will." So proud, even while yet so rebel- 
lious, was my heart ! 

I grew very uneasy, and my wretched state of mind was 
increased by a providential occurrence, which was the 
occasion of my returning to Ireland, and which the Lord 
overruled for my good. Besides the farm which my father 
inherited from his father and grandfather, the rents of 
which my mother received, he had a freehold, which as 
his eldest, and, at his death, his only son, came to me 
exclusively. This had fed my expenses since I became 
of age, and had too much encouraged me in my idle notions. 
This freehold I left in the care of a young man, who had 
been one of the companions of my youth, and was then in 
business for himself, as an attorney. He was unfaithful 
to his trust, and neglected to pay that attention to the 
tenant (an extravagant gentleman) which he ought to have 
done. He also suffered him to get greatly in arrears with 
the ground landlord, and his bankruptcy at length com- 
pleted my difficulties. I was in debt on all hands, as I 
depended on a continuance of the supplies which the profit 
rents of the freehold afforded me. This I could not bear: 



30 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1776-A^e25. 



and, contrary to the wishes of my mother and friends, I 
sold the freehold, and paid my debts ; so that a share 
which I had in the farm was then my only property. My 
loss in this respect proved, in the hands of the gracious 
Redeemer, good medicine to heal my sickness ; for I had 
intended to visit France, where perhaps destruction await- 
ed me. 

After a residence of three years in London, I returned 
to Ireland in the summer of 1776, — the last year, glory be 
to God ! of my rebellion against him. I was received 
with great joy by my mother, and my other relatives and 
friends. Notwithstanding my aversion to the art which I 
professed, and consequent illness, I was, even to my own 
surprise, greatly improved in it. My work was admired, 
and it was thought I might soon retrieve all that I had lost, 
and even attain to the higher walks of my profession. 
But I was weary of the world, and received impressions 
which nothing earthly could satisfy. I was, however, 
more than ever convinced of the necessity, and high duty, 
of industry and frugality, and seemed bent on making the 
best of that property which remained. My convictions " of 
sin, of righteousness, and of judgment," increased, and 
became more painful ; and I longed for deliverance from 
" this body of sin and death," though I knew not how it 
was to come : yet I seemed to expect much from the 
mercy of God. 

I was religiously inclined from my infancy. When very 
young, I used often to think on the day of judgment, and 
frequently dreamed that it was come : and this brought 
such an habitual dread of God upon my mind, as judge of 
the world, that I used to look out for a place where I 
might hide myself from his face, whom I seemed always 
to behold as sitting upon the throne, and calling the quick 
and dead before him. Like a true son of fallen Adam, I 
used to thrust myself into a thick hazel hedge, in one of 



1776-Age25. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



21 



my father's fields, and stay there a long time, watching to 
see whether any passenger could spy me out. But winter, 
by dissipating the leaves, made my rural retreat pervious, 
and I was obliged to look out for another hiding place. I 
used often to lament that there were no Protestant monas- 
teries ; for I thought it impossible to live in the world and 
be saved ; and I am sure that, for several years of my 
youth, I would gladly have left all in the world, for the 
hope of eternal life. Vain hope ! to leave all the creatures, 
if that were possible, and yet retain my old, unchanged 
nature ! But I was not wholly left to the " terrors of the 
Lord." I had, at times, some sweet discoveries of Christ, 
as having come into the world to save sinners. At one 
time especially, when I was about fourteen years old, I 
was so affected with an impression of that kind, that " my 
head was as waters, and my eyes as fountains of tears !" 
I believe this visitation was from God ; and it had such an 
effect upon me, that I persevered for some time in a religious 
course, with fasting and prayer, which I concealed from 
every person. But my fervor in trying to serve God 
abated, as my corrupt nature prevailed. I lost the power, 
and with it— my confidence in God, and returned to care- 
lessness and vanity. 

But I return to my narrative. 

Soon after my arrival in Dublin, I was sitting one day 
by myself, at my eldest sister's, (afterward Mrs. Timms,) 
the family being all gone out, when I cast my eyes on a 
New Testament, with Burkitt's Commentary, which lay on 
the table. Some time before I left London, I met with a 
man who was very zealous for Calvin's system, which he 
pressed upon me with all his heart. I resisted upon the 
common ground, namely, that absolute predestination 
destroyed the moral character of God ; and that salvation, 
so conferred, would be mere creaturely partiality, and not 
infinite justice. " But," said he, " it is in the Bible, and 



22 LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1776-^25. 

that is the word of God ; and it is your carnal and proud 
reason which opposes it. Read the Epistle to the Romans; 
you will find the doctrine fully stated there." This struck 
me at the time, but the impression soon passed away. 
On seeing the New Testament lie on the table, the con- 
versation just mentioned rushed into my mind, and I 
thought, I will search out this doctrine ; and I immediately 
commenced reading the Epistle to the Romans, in order to 
find out absolute predestination. 

But how shall I describe the change wrought in my 
mind while rapidly, and with almost breathless attention, 
going through that epistle, without taking in a word of the 
commentary! The doctrine which I wished to explore 
vanished from my remembrance. I discovered that which 
I needed much more, "salvation by grace, through faith!" 
I saw with a delight, I suppose almost equal to Luther's, 
when he made the discovery, that sinners must be, and 
may be, " saved by grace ;" and that God had appointed the 
way of faith, as that alone in which we could be saved. 
My mind was enlightened in a surprising degree, and at 
the same time my judgment was so convinced that it 
seemed all demonstration. I walked as in a new world, 
and the gloom which had nearly fastened on my mind 
seemed to be totally dispersed. This cheering light, ac- 
companied with much power, lasted a considerable time ; 
and I hoped that I should go on my way rejoicing. 

Alas ! I found, when those feelings subsided, that this 
also was the word only. It was indeed the word of 
grace ; and I had not then any doubt, nor have I at this 
day, that it was directed by the Lord to my particular 
state ; and had I then been acquainted with religious 
people, it is probable I might have been induced to have 
held fast my confidence in God, not as showing himself 
willing to save, and graciously pointing out the way, but 
as being myself in a state of justification before God ; a 



m&-Age 25. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



28 



phrase which, at that time, I knew nothing of. But I 
found even this knowledge of the great leading doctrines 
of the gospel could no more conquer my evil nature than 
the ten commandments could. " I consented to the law 
that it was good ;" and I received the gospel as being 
God's way of salvation. The doctrine promulgated was 
glorious ; but as the newness of the discovery wore off, I 
found my old enemies rising up, and the "law in my mem- 
bers" again threatened to be too strong for the " law in 
my mind," either in precept or in promise. I was enabled, 
generally, to watch against my besetting sin ; but I fell 
repeatedly, and groaned the unutterable prayer, " Wretched 
man that I am ! Who shall deliver me from the body of 
this death ?" I now began to know something of the total 
fall of man, as set forth in the ninth article of the Church 
of England ; but I almost despaired of deliverance, as I 
knew nothing of the doctrine of regeneration, which I was 
taught to identify with baptism. 

At this time, a man with whom I had but a very common 
intercourse, and who made no profession of religion, pre- 
sented to me one of Mr. Wesley's Journals, in order to 
show that this eminent man, although a Protestant divine, 
believed in the reality of ghosts and apparitions. I began 
to read it with some curiosity : but although Mr. Wesley's 
preface to the account of Elizabeth Hobson satisfied my 
mind, as being perfectly reasonable, and the account itself 
impressed me with an awful sense of the invisible world, 
yet I soon passed on to what, as in the former case, I 
needed much more, the letters on religious experience in 
the same Journal. These seemed to give me some idea 
of the thing I wanted, but how to attain it I had no concep- 
tion. I attended our parish church constantly, but could 
hear nothing that was suited to my case. I also went 
sometimes to the Methodist chapel, though greatly afraid 
of being seen there by any who might know me ; the 



24 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



177&-Age25. 



reproach of Christ being heavy upon the people at that 
time. As usual with a mere hearer, the sermon was 
sometimes profitable, and at other times the contrary. I was 
proud, and fastidious in my taste ; and though I longed to 
hear something that would clearly point out deliverance, yet 
I could not bear, as I ought, the " earthen vessel" through 
which it was conveyed. The lay appearance also of 
the preachers I exceedingly disliked. Alas ! I was still a 
sinful man, and although the glorious doctrines of the 
gospel were often -recollected, they seemed to have no 
power, or but a momentary one, over my evil nature. I 
seemed to relax in every respect ; and for a considerable 
time I did not attend any place of worship with any con- 
stancy. 

While I was thus halting between life and death, a 
strange occurrence aroused me out of the indifference into 
which I had relapsed. The Rev. Edward Smyth arrived 
in Dublin, and it was soon generally known that he 
preached in the Methodist chapel. That a nephew of the 
archbishop, and whose family was highly respectable, 
should so debase himself, was considered as most unac- 
countable. I soon, however, learned something of his 
history. He had been curate of a parish in the north of 
Ireland, where he had learned the true doctrines of the 
gospel from the people with whom he now associated. " He 
received the word in power," and became remarkably 
zealous. Among his parishioners he discovered one, a 
nobleman, who was living in a constant breach of the 
seventh commandment. He was immediately constrained 
to lay before him the guiltiness, and the awful danger, of 
his state ; which he did in a modest but firm manner, in a 
private letter. This had no good effect, and it was con- 
sequently attended by a bad one. The preaching of Mr. 
Smyth was terrible to evil doers, while the healing truths 
of God's word were dispensed with great effect to those 



1116-Age 25. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



25 



who turned at his reproof. The nobleman became deeply- 
offended, and his high connections partook of the offense. 
Complaint was made to the bishop of the diocese, who 
cited Mr. Smyth to appear in his court. The pretext was, 
his preaching abroad, and holding meetings for prayer, 
commonly called conventicles. But the excellence of his 
character, and his diligence in his ministerial duties, were 
so fully apparent by the testimonies of many of the re- 
spectable parishioners, that the proceedings were dropped ; 
and in a little time the bishop proceeded in a more summary 
way : he withdrew Mr. Smyth's license, and he was dis- 
missed from his curacy. 

I immediately thought, " This must be a good man, and 
I will go and hear him." I did so, on the following 
Sunday evening. His appearance struck me exceedingly ; 
it fully answered my expectation, and I had no doubt of 
his entire devotedness to God. The gown, and other 
appearances of a clergyman, had also their due effect upon 
me. His preaching was Scriptural and edifying ; but yet 
it did not quite reach my case. I determined, however, to 
be a constant hearer, and seemed to have no doubt but that 
his word would prove the " savor of life " to me. He 
was published to preach again on the following Tuesday : 
I went with great expectation, hoping that he was the man 
appointed to lead me into all truth, and especially that 
which I particularly needed. How great was my disap- 
pointment ! A layman — with his plain coat, where I 
expected the gown — ascended the pulpit. My first thought 
was to leave the chapel, and I even rose from my seat to 
accomplish my design, when I seemed to be asked, " Did 
you not come hither to receive good for your soul?" The 
answer in my mind was, " I certainly did : I am wrong ; 
I will hear the sermon." I accordingly resumed my seat 
with entire composure. The preacher was the late Mr. 
Bradburn ; whose preaching soon removed my prejudices 
2 



26 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. lT76-Age2S. 



to his lay appearance. The text was, "The blind receive 
their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and 
the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have 
the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whoso- 
ever shall not be offended in me." MattheAV xi, 5, 6. The 
sermon was throughout highly impressive ; and some parts 
of it came home to my case. He strongly inculcated the 
" poverty of spirit " which is essential to a right reception 
of the gospel, and showed largely that it was the poor, and 
especially such poor, who in every age had preached it, 
and received it. My mind was impressed in a remarkable 
manner, and I departed with thankfulness to God that I 
had staid to hear the discourse. 

I immediately determined to adopt, and practice in every- 
thing, an entire devotedness ; and to " work out my salva- 
tion with fear and trembling." I had then no other prospect 
but to pass my life in penitence and prayer; and I seemed 
to have much hope that God would regard my sincerity 
While I was pursuing this course, cutting off everything 
that might be an occasion of falling from my steadfastness, 
and watching against every person or circumstance that 
might lead me into temptation, or weaken my resolution, I 
was led to consider my former life, — the years spent in 
carelessness and sin. The sight was appalling ! and I was 
seized with great fear that the Lord would not hear my 
prayer. But here, strange to say, a sudden recollection 
of the sermon which I had heard Mr. Wesley preach, so 
many years before, (and which I have already noted,) came 
to my help. His doctrine of " a present salvation," wholly 
through Christ, and his enforcement of a faith which brings 
nothing to the Lord but our sin and misery, and waits for 
nothing but his mercy, and relies wholly on the Saviour, 
seemed to give me present relief. The work of grace in 
the heart I understood not ; but I determined to rely on 
Christ wholly for forgiveness, and to think no more of my 



177&-Age25. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



9* 



past sins, except as means of humiliation, and of stirring 
me up to greater watchfulness and prayer. 

I went on in this way for some time with much encour- 
agement. But a new enemy, of whom I had never before 
been conscious, now appeared, and seemed to blast all my 
hopes. I had always thought that I had firm faith in 
Christ, even when I was most conscious of being " his 
enemy by wicked works ;" and when the religious men 
that I had met in London told me that I could only be 
saved by faith, I used to reply that I was sure they were 
mistaken, for no man had a more steady faith in Christ 
than I had ; and yet I was sure that I was not in a state 
of salvation. I maintained that I was a Christian, but 
I acknowledged I was not a good one. Alas ! for the 
deceitfulness of my heart ! Now that I was in earnest to 
be a good one, and was in truth altogether devoted to God, 
unbelief suddenly rose up like " the smoke issuing from 
the bottomless pit," and soon obscured Christ and the 
Scriptures, hardly leaving a vestige of all that God had ever 
revealed to man ! Even the infidel writers which I had 
sometimes read, admiring their style and the elegance of 
their composition, while I pitied and even despised their 
unbelief, now rushed into my mind, and more than ever 
disputed all the truth of God which I had at any time 
received ! 

I was confounded, and knew not what to do ; — I was 
stripped of all my armor, and left naked in the midst of 
my enemies. My past sins, which I had cast upon Christ, 
all came back upon me. My heart condemned me, and 
every thought pronounced me guilty. The great enemy 
was not idle. He suggested, " "What have you left all the 
world for ? Where is your dependence now ? Return to a 
reasonable life, and take your place among men ! Do not 
fool away your prospects and your life ! Think you that 
this world was not made to be enjoyed ?" Thus I was plied 



28 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1776-Ag«25. 



with the fiery darts of hell, and every shaft took place. I 
had no " shield to quench them !" For some time I was 
thus sawn asunder. The lines of Milton, portraying the 
arch fiend, described my case : — - 

" Round he cast his baneful eyes, 
Which witness'd huge affliction and dismay !" 

I found my old nature ready to cast off all restraint, and 
again to choose the happiness of this world, " the desire 
of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, and the pride of life." 

I had no teacher, no religious friend, no helper : but the 
Lord came to my help. He enabled me to " consider," 
and with some degree of composure to enter into the ques- 
tion. I dared not to attempt to hold fast the prejudice of 
my education, and pertinaciously to call it faith. I could 
not pray under such self-deception, and I found that I must 
therefore cast off all, unless I could find some point whereon 
to rest my almost expiring hope. I was enabled to "rea- 
son" upon the case. I thought, " I shall die, and where 
then will all these things be, that now court my return to 
the world ? Eternity is all !" I held fast this, and was en- 
abled not to throw away my consciousness of immortality. 
I found, and painfully acknowledged, that I had no such 
faith as I thought I had. " But there is a God ! — I must 
believe that ; and he certainly must know all things. He 
must know that I desire to please him, yea, to be devoted 
to him in all things ; and he is certainly able to deliver all 
who serve him, and most certainly he will not cast me off 
while he sees this to be the purpose of my soul." Even 
Addison's lines helped me to rise in some degree out of 
this " horrible pit," and I repeated them with comfort : — 

" If there's a Power above us, 
And that there is, all nature cries aloud 
Through all her works, he must delight in virtue, 
And that which he delights in must be happy " 



niG-Age 25. 



Life of henry moore. 



29 



" I will therefore be devoted to him, yea, more than ever 
devoted, having all other strength removed from me." 
Thus was I brought, as I afterward found, to the faith of 
a heathen, described by Mr. Wesley in his sermon on the 
Almost Christian. 

This resolution gave me considerable comfort. But I 
deeply felt the necessity of mortifying every desire that 
would weaken it. I commenced, therefore, a course of 
the most rigorous self-denial. I scarcely allowed myself 
as much food at any time as would nourish an infant, and 
also added days of fasting. I resolved to wear no clothes 
but the plainest I had. My whole appearance was strangely 
altered. I had been very exact and careful in my person 
and dress, more than my circumstances would warrant, 
(but I kept clear of debt,) and I was therefore determined 
to mortify this desire, in order to prevent my return to the 
world, the love of which I found still stirring within me, 
notwithstanding the severe and constant cutting off all 
outward supplies. These correctives of a depraved nature 
I now know were so extreme as to strike at life itself, 
which must have soon failed under such discipline. But 
I was determined to persevere, frequently thinking, I have 
often failed, and if I should be overcome now I shall never 
have another call. Some of my friends who saw me, (for 
I avoided all company,) afterward said, they were seri- 
ously alarmed for my mental constitution. I continued, 
however, in this severe path, and had some comfortable 
prospect of dying with good hope, that He who made me 
would have mercy on me ; a faith bringing a sense of; 
acceptance I had lost all hope of, except as a mercy that 
might be granted in consequence of long faithfulness, and 
persevering obedience. 

While I was thus going on, my mind became disturbed 
by a chain of reasoning, the origin of which I could not 
account for. The case of the first believers in Christ was 



36 LIFE GF HENRY MOORE. IT76-Age25. 

strongly presented to my mind. I recollected that they were 
in general heathens ; as I then felt that I was with respect 
to faith, being reduced to this state by an inability to 
believe the Christian doctrine, not through any dislike to 
it, (for I ardently wished that I could believe,) but from not 
being able to prove the truth of it, which I thought, at 
that time, was essential to faith. The reasonings that fol- 
lowed these considerations are to this day strange to me ; 
but I was the Lord's catechumen ; I had no teacher but 
him. I seemed to ask myself, "Were there not in that 
day, when the gospel was first preached, some who felt 
the need of it as much as you ever did ?" This I could 
not deny. I seemed further to inquire, " Were not some 
of them, perhaps many, as willing to forsake all the world 
that they might be accepted of God, as you can be V This 
likewise I seemed obliged to grant. I seemed to continue 
thus to reason, — " Suppose that those persons refused to 
embrace Christianity, could there ever have been martyrs, 
confessors, devoted souls, who all testified that they en- 
joyed a present happiness in consequence of 'believing?' " 
I allowed that this seemed to be the case with them. But 
I sorrowfully replied, " I do not refuse to believe ; but I 
cannot. I cannot answer the objections with which I am 
assaulted, (some of which were dreadful ;) and to embrace 
the faith in such a case would be hypocrisy." It seemed 
again, however, to be replied, " Why so ? why a hypocrite 1 
Can I gain anything by it 1 Have I not renounced all the 
world, notwithstanding the loss of the faith which I thought 
I possessed ? And do I not continue the same renuncia- 
tion in order to keep the deistical faith which I now hold ? 
And might not this be the case with some, perhaps with 
many, of the primitive believers ?" I acknowledged it 
might. It was again asked, " How then did they believe ?" 
It was answered, " They ventured to do so." They heard, 
and probably examined, (some we are sure did so,) but 



W6-Age25. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



31 



this might not bring entire satisfaction ; but they ventured 
to trust in Christ," — and I remembered having read that 
their doing so was mentioned to their honor, " That we 
should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in 
Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the 
word of truth, the gospel of your salvation ; in whom also 
after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit 
of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until 
the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise 
of his glory." Ephesians i, 12-14. "And must I do the 
same ?" Here began a conflict, the remembrance of 
which is awful at this day. I summoned all that I knew 
of the Scriptures to my aid ; I remembered the effect that 
the Epistle to the Romans had upon my mind, as already 
related ; how clearly, how fully the doctrine stated there 
had satisfied my mind ; how the way of faith in Christ 
alone seemed to meet the wants and the real condition of 
mankind, and especially my own condition. I at length 
resolved that I would venture ; — and with a heart rent with 
fear, and alas ! but feebly supported by hope, I cast my- 
self upon him as my all ! In the most solemn manner I 
declared to that God who alone heard me, that I would 
trust my soul with Christ ; that he should be my Saviour, 
my only Saviour, in time and in eternity. I was imme- 
diately stunned with the thought, that he might be no 
Saviour ; but my heart replied, " I will venture that ; I 
will have no other." 

The result after a little time was highly encouraging. I 
seemed to have removed a great burden, and my soul 
breathed more freely toward the Lord, the author of my 
being. Considerable comfort followed ; and I was enabled 
even to hope that I had acted reasonably ; and had no 
doubt but that the Scriptures were on my side, — I therefore 
read them with more comfort, and found many portions 
very applicable to my own state. The Lord, I believe, 



32 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1777-Age 26, 



lifted up my head and strengthened my hands, for I found 
the means of grace more edifying, and gloom gave way to 
a degree of confidence to which my heart had previously 
been a stranger. But I felt the need of " mortifying the 
deeds of the body," and of allowing no approach to the 
world ; rather I determined to keep at the utmost distance 
from it, as I found the assaults of unbelief still powerful, 
though they did not prevail. I was enabled to hold fast 
my confidence ; and to plead at all times, " Thou shalt be 
mine, and I will be thine ! Save me !" 

I began again to attend the Methodist chapel ; and as I 
was now no longer a curious or fastidious hearer, I always 
found some good. One Sunday evening, about the middle 
of the month of February, 1777, I heard it published from 
the pulpit that there would be a watch-night on the fol- 
lowing evening, being the full moon ; and I determined to 
attend. What a watch-night meant I knew not ; but it 
was enough for me that it was to be a religious service. 
On that day, for ever to be remembered ! the Lord showed 
indeed that " He could do exceeding abundantly beyond 
all that we can ask or think." I was now truly hanging 
between life and death, respecting both body and soul. 
My bodily strength was greatly reduced by fasting, as well 
as by general self-denial, for I dreaded the least indulgence 
lest my old corruptions should rise up and carry me away 
again ; in which case I had a strong impression that the 
victory would be lost for ever. I seemed strong in purpose, 
but the weakness of the body oppressed me. I felt in my 
mind a full determination to perish at the Lord's feet 
rather than turn back ; and I had generally a hope that 
the Lord would give me the mind to persevere, which 
thought was dearer to me than life ; but of any immediate 
or sensible help from above, I appeared to have no ex- 
pectation. Even what I had read of such things, or even 
of the aids of divine grace, of which I had read continu- 



1777-^26. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOO'RE, 



33 



ally in the Book of Comrfa, Prayer, (one of the books I 
constantly studied,) seemed to have no abiding power. I 
prayed for it continually ; but I considered it to be some- 
thing which would establish my mind, and render me un- 
movable in my pursuit of salvation, rather than as bringing 
any direct aid or comfort. 

I had been out that day, and was returning to my sister's, 
where I lodged, praying as I went that God would so keep 
me, that nothing which I saw or heard should divert my 
mind from thinking of him, — when, in a moment, I felt as 
if I was gently struck with lightning ; I can find no better 
words to describe what I felt. I stopped, and for a mo- 
ment wondered what had happened to me ; but I quickly 
found it was a healing visitation. 

To use Mr. Wesley's words respecting himself in a 
similar case, " I felt my heart strangely warmed !" My 
prayer, — which was before directed for preservation against 
the alienating influences of the creature,— seemed to rise up 
to the throne of God ; and an impression was made on my 
mind, that there Christ reigned, and that he was mine,— 
my Saviour and my God ! 

The lines spoken by the soldier, in Mr. Gambold's 
Tragedy of Ignatius, come near to what I felt : — 

" Good father, 
How do you find yourself when God is with you ? 
I feel a gentle flame within my breast, 
That seems to alter every nerve about me. 
I'm lightsome now ; and my whole soul's directed 
Up to those heavens, as if I had some friend 
Residing there, that never would forsake me." 

My feelings, however, I cannot fully describe. Tears of 
love and gratitude overflowed my eyes, (I had not wept 
before in all my conflict,) and 1 was "lost in wonder, love, 
and praise." I was assured that I had taken the right 
way, the way of entire devotedness, and of opposition to 
2* 



Si 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



im-Age26. 



" all pollution both of the flesh find spirit." Still, however, 
my mind did not advert to the forgiveness of my sins ; for 
of the doctrine of justification I had then but a faint and 
obscure idea. But I felt as though I had no doubt that the 
Lord approved of my ways, and that I had only to hold on 
in order to be eternally saved. 

The evening of the watch-night came, and I attended at 
the chapel at half-past eight o'clock, the time appointed. 
My body having been greatly weakened by fasting, and 
having taken very little food that day, as soon as I was 
seated I was seized with what seemed to me a deadly 
sickness, and I nearly fainted. But the strength I had 
received from the Lord that day was still fresh on my mind ; 
and I inwardly cried to my good Physician. The sickness 
soon passed off, and I was enabled to attend to the service, 
which I found truly edifying. It consisted of hymns, 
prayer, a sermon, and exhortations. The sermon was from 
" But the end of all things is at hand ; be ye therefore 
sober, and watch unto prayer." 1 Peter iv, 7. It suited 
the state of my mind, and was highly impressive. Toward 
the conclusion of the service I found my strength so much 
renewed, and I was so joyous in my spirit, that I heard 
with some regret the concluding blessing pronounced at a 
quarter after twelve o'clock. I retired homeward, well 
satisfied that " man liveth not by bread alone," and won- 
dering at the rich mercy manifested toward me, a sinner ; 
and imploring the Lord to keep me in the good way into 
which he had led me, and which he had so graciously 
testified was the way of eternal life. 

The family at my sister's were all in bed, and I found 
they had been uneasy about me ; but my brother-in-law 
rose and let me in, observing, that he supposed I was at 

Mr. 's, a relation whom I nsed to visit in former days, 

and where I spent my evenings with cards and supper. 
I well remember that I felt astonished at the question, 



1777-Age26. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



b 5 



and felt surprised that he should think I had been so em- 
ployed ; for I seemed to have forgotten, as well as to 
abhor, my former ways : I then retired to my chamber. 
There was no light in the house, but the moon shone 
bright in my apartment. I went over to the window, re- 
flecting on my brother-in-law's observation. " No," I said, 
" my soul shall know those enjoyments no more. The 
Lord has showed me a better way, — his own way. I 
have spent one night well, and so will I spend my whole 
life." I lifted up my heart to God, praying that he would 
keep me, when a visitation, far more powerful than that 
in the former part of the previous day, came upon me. I 
instantly cried out, apparently without a previous thought, 
" My sins are all forgiven !" and I knew it was so. I 
had a delightful impression that the Son presented me to 
the Father, and that " through him I had access into the 
grace of justification, wherein I stood. The love of God 
was shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost given 
unto me, and I rejoiced in hope of the glory of God, with 
joy unspeakable," seeing my title clear, through Christ, 
to mansions in the skies. I then cried out, "How shall I 
praise thee, O Lord !" And immediately the doxology 
then common among religious people, and which I had 
learned at the chapel, burst from my lips : I knew no 
other hymn of praise — 

" Glory, honor, praise, and power, 
Be unto the Lamb for ever! 
Jesus Christ is our Redeemer, 
Hallelujah, praise ye the Lord!" 

I sung this aloud, and, as I afterward learned, awoke the 
remainder of the family, and greatly alarmed my sister, who 
thought that the crisis was come, and that insanity had 
taken place. Meantime I seemed inclined to proceed, so 
as probably to confirm this supposition, for my first thought 
was to continue all night in praise and prayer ; but I found 



36 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1777- Ag-e 26, 



" the spirit of power, and of love," was united with " a sound 
mind." Sobriety was given me ; and I thought, " I must 
attend to my business on the morrow, and must serve the 
Lord in everything. I must do everything for him, and 
must not unfit myself for any part of his service." I re- 
membered also my weakness, and how grievously I had 
felt it the previous day. After prayer and thanksgiving, 
therefore, I lay down, and the Lord gave me sweet, re- 
freshing sleep. 

I awoke with a sweet sense of Christ as my Saviour on 
my mind, accompanied with the wonder, " why such love 
to me !" I prayed as to my Father God, and my prayer 
was turned into praise. I was enabled to undertake every 
worldly duty in his name. A deep and painful sense of 
my sins, and of the alienation of my heart from such love, 
and for such a length of time, often rested on my mind ; 
but the stronger feelings of faith and love quickly prevailed, 
and I felt, " with joy unspeakable," that " my iniquities 
were forgiven, and my sins remembered no more " by my 
heavenly Father. I was enabled also " to place the Lord 
always before me," and " to behold him on my right hand, 
that I should not be moved." I seemed to read the Scrip- 
tures, as having an interest in every part, and as if they 
were written for my instruction and consolation. Critical 
knowledge of the sacred Scriptures I had little ; neither 
had I any such accurate knowledge of the doctrines as would 
perhaps satisfy an inquirer; but I knew that "I was passed 
from death unto life," and " that the kingdom of God was 
righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." Every 
description of the "new man" I felt to be my own. I could 
hope for every sinner in the universe, and used even to 
wonder how they could resist such love ! I seemed to 
have forgotten my own former hardness, and was ready to 
believe that all must be subdued by the Saviour's love. I 
was enabled to do all things in the name of Christ, and to 



1777-Age 26. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



37 



receive all from his hands ; and I well remember that the 
first time I sat down to dinner, after I had been thus re- 
newed in love, I had as clear a sense that it was provided 
for me by the Lord, although in a different way, as if I had 
shared in the angelical invitation, and partook of the re- 
freshment of the prophet, in his retreat toward Horeb, 
"And as he lay and slept under a juniper-tree, behold, then 
an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. 
And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the 
coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat 
and drink, and laid him down again. And the angel of the 
Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and 
said, Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for 
thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in 
the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto 
Horeb, the mount of God." 1 Kings xix, 5-8. 

The great change, not only in my conduct, but in my 
spirit, soon made a noise among my relations and all that 
knew me. Those who had observed my former seclusion 
and abstraction, and now beheld the elevation of my mind, 
were in much fear for me, and thought that I was at least 
on the borders of insanity. My mother, who tenderly 
loved me, was greatly alarmed, and hearing that I went to 
the Methodist chapel, she became deeply grieved and 
even offended. She beset me with the usual questions 
in such cases : whether I thought all the people would 
be lost who knew nothing of those with whom I associated ? 
She asked me what I thought was become of my father, 
who Avas such an honest man, and a good churchman ? I 
pressed her with the awful, and with the encouraging 
truths of the gospel, and with the glorious issue ; but all 
seemed in vain. She declared, in an agony of grief, that 
all her happiness was at an end, and that she should go 
down with sorrow to the grave. My sisters partook of the 
grief and the offense. Some of my relatives became 



33 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1777- Age 26. 



enemies, especially my sister's husband with whom I 
lodged. 

I proceeded further, and thinking it my duty to have 
family prayer every day, I disregarded all his threats, and 
persevered therein till I saw religion take a firm hold 
in the family. My other relatives and intimate friends 
were more civil, but I could fasten nothing upon them. 
They lamented over me as one lost out of the social circle, 
and who had, as they said, " given them so much pleasure." 
My hope of bringing them to the knowledge and love of 
God, to holiness and happiness, seemed almost come to 
an end ; and I felt a too eager desire to die, hoping that a 
happy death might awaken them to a sense of eternal 
things, and do that which neither my words nor my con- 
duct (of which I was very careful) could accomplish. I 
seemed at that time almost to forget what a hardy rebel I 
had been myself against a long-suffering Redeemer ! 

Meantime I lamented over the world. I had a most 
piercing sense of the misery of those " who were seeking 
death in the error of their life." I seemed also to have 
" a discernment of their spirit," which gave me inexpres- 
sible anguish ; and this was accompanied with an im- 
pression that I must " warn them to flee from the wrath 
to come," and invite them to the Saviour of the lost. 
This impression gave me much pain, as I had felt how little 
all I had said availed those with whom I was most familiar, 
and whom I loved the most ; and I wished that I could 
retire from all in the world, live unknown, and have com- 
munion only with my God. But the Bible, which was 
the book I most constantly read, convinced me while 
perusing it that this was not his way ; and therefore a 
cheering hope sprang up that the Lord would yet give me 
to see a yielding spirit, especially in those I loved. 

This painful exercise of mind, accompanied at times 
with this hope, seemed to increase every day. I thought, 



1777-itg«26. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



39 



" I must tell those perishing sinners what the Lord has 
done for my soul ;" and I even feared that if I did not he 
would take his Spirit from me. But when, or where, or 
how to do it, I knew not. I had no connection with any 
people, and was only a hearer at the Methodist chapel. 
I had heard of Mr. Wesley and others preaching abroad, 
and often thought it might be well to try to do good in that 
way. But I feared to expose myself, and dreaded still 
more the effect which it might have upon my mother, and 
my other relatives, lest they should be utterly hardened. 
Yet I could not put away the thought that I must do it ; 
and the words of Job, which were strangely given me, 
seemed to force me into something of that kind : " Did I 
fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families 
terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the 
door ?" 

The conflict became great ; and one day I was so op- 
pressed with it, that I determined to wait no longer ; and 
accordingly, on a week day, about one o'clock, I took my 
hat, and descended from my apartment with a full resolu- 
tion of standing up in the street, and declaring "what God 
had done for my soul." I was just crossing the threshold 
when I seemed to be asked, or to ask myself, " What are 
you going to do V I answered, " To tell perishing sinners 
what a Saviour they have, and how willing he is to save 
them." I seemed to be again asked, " Can you prove 
what you are about to tell them from Holy Scripture ?" 
I was surprised ! but at length answered, " No, I cannot." 
The concluding question was, " Had you not better wait 
till you can ?" I felt the truth of the expostulation, and 
was perfectly satisfied. I returned to my apartment thank- 
ful to the Lord, who I believed had saved me from a rash 
and premature ebullition of zeal, which it is not probable 
could have done any good, and might have been attended 
with much evil. 



40 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



Yin-Age 26. 



I now applied myself to the study of the Holy Scriptures, 
and disapproved of every moment which was spent in any 
other way. I read them with constant prayer, which 
seemed to ascend naturally while my soul was drinking in 
the truth. Burkitt's Commentary was still in the house, 
and I found it very helpful. It gave me some knowledge 
of the doctrines of the gospel ; and although I thought it 
deficient in enforcing entire devotedness to God, and also 
that constant " fellowship with him," which was the delight 
of my heart ; yet I read it with much profit, and was 
certainly enabled to " grow in grace, and in the knowledge 
and love of God." 

I was one morning reading the First Epistle of St. John, 
when my attention was powerfully called to what the 
apostle says of " loving the brethren," and " loving the 
children of God ;" and I was surprised to see that he 
placed these as prominent and sure marks " of our love to 
God," and of " our having passed from death unto life." 
I was amazed ! and immediately thought, " I am not right 
yet, for I have no brethren, — I do not know any of the 
children of God : how can I love what I know not V' I 
felt indeed a love to all who loved our Lord Jesus Christ, 
on earth or in heaven ; but this ideal love I could not think 
was what St. John meant. From that time I took notice 
of what I read in other parts of the apostolic writings, of 
the exercise of that love in " bearing each other's burdens," 
"building each other up," and " strengthening each other 
in the Lord." I said, What shall I do ? I know none 
that are thus minded. But I felt that it would be delightful 
thus to love, and thus to be employed. It was immediately 
suggested, There are such in the world, and you must find 
them out. I thought of the Methodists immediately; in- 
deed I knew no other people who made a religious profes- 
sion. I thought, They have two marks which I constantly 
find mentioned in the Bible : they seem more serious and 



1777-^«26. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE, 



41 



devoted than other people ; and " the reproach of Christ " 
is upon them beyond all comparison. Indeed, in those 
times it was very heavy. The bare mention of the name 
was sufficient to excite ridicule and disgust. But here I 
was again assaulted : I thought, If I join them I shall do 
no good to my relations and friends ; and as soon as it is 
known that I am indeed a Methodist, that I have joined 
their society, they will not hear a word from me. I was 
kept thus vacillating for some time : but the word of God 
by St. John continued powerful within me ; and I determined 
that at all events I would have brethren, I would seek out 
and "love the children of God." 

I now attended the Methodist chapel more constantly, 
and was generally profited by all I heard. I was also 
much pleased with the people, to whom I was become 
more attentive. Their plainness of dress, which at that 
time was very uncommon, pleased me, as being agreeable 
to the word of God. Yet I had many fears lest I should 
" commit myself to men." " The Lord was my Shep- 
herd," and had himself led me hitherto. His grace was 
" abundant beyond all that I could ask or think." I had 
constant peace with him, and often " a joy that was 
unspeakable, and full of glory." I could not " hide his 
righteousness within my heart," but was constrained to 
speak to perishing sinners, and commend my Saviour to 
them. This was not always well received, and sometimes 
therefore I spoke with some severity. This was a source 
of much pain to me afterward, and was generally followed 
by a humiliating remembrance of my own dark days of 
vanity and sin. I had some cloudy days, or rather hours, 
for neither dejection nor conflict lasted long ; and I gene- 
rally had a joyous spirit, accompanied with what I could 
almost call supernatural strength and courage. I needed 
no commentator to tell me what this scripture meant: — 
" Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious 



42 LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. ITW-Age 26 



power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyful- 
ness," Colossians i, 11 : or those words to the Ephesians, 
that you may know " what is the exceeding greatness 
of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the 
working of his mighty power." Chap, i, 19. No act that 
any believer ever had done by the power of faith seemed 
strange to me. I was indeed a " new creature," and proved 
the height and depth of sovereign everlasting love to the 
sinful sons of men, and to me a sinner. 

In this state I began more earnestly to desire Christian 
fellowship. Notwithstanding my fears already mentioned, 
I concluded there must be a great advantage in conversing 
with those who had been a long time in the way ; I there- 
fore resolved to speak on the first opportunity that occurred 
to the Methodist preacher ; and if I should find encour- 
agement, to propose my being received as a member of 
the society, although my heart recoiled with the fear of 
committing myself to men. Accordingly, one evening in 
the spring of this year, I addressed the preacher after he 
came down from the pulpit, and expressed my desire to 
become a member. He seemed, as I thought, to treat it 
lightly, and requested me to call upon him ; but something 
which I said arrested his attention, and he sat down on 
one of the forms, inviting me to seat myself near him. I 
spoke a few words of my present state, and earnest desire 
of religious fellowship. He was surprised that an entire 
stranger, and one so young, should speak so confidently, 
and with such enlarged views. He spoke to me, however, 
encouragingly, but warned me against extremes. At the 
conclusion he gave me a note of admission into society, 
and directed me to a class which met at a certain time 
and place. I was glad that I had proceeded so far; and 
attended at the appointed time, expecting much good. 

I felt an awe rest on my mind when I entered the room. 
The meeting began with singing and prayer, which I 



1777-^26. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



43 



thought were very good ; but as it proceeded it is impossible 
to describe my disappointment ! There was but one 
person in the class, (which consisted of upward of twenty 
persons,) a servant-maid, who spoke of enjoying any 
happiness in religion, or of having even " peace with 
God." Yet all appeared to be very serious, and some 
seemed to be under very deep concern. The leader spoke 
a few words to me ; but as I entered into no detail, having 
no encouragement to do so, he only gave me a few plain 
words of advice, and did not appear to receive very well 
my speaking so confidently of having " peace with God." 

I sat musing upon what I heard, and felt (as Mr. Wesley 
once said) as if I had touched the torpedo, the benumbing 
fish. I hastily thought, I will come here no more : this is 
no place for me, for I shall get no good here ; rather, I 
shall be robbed of my happiness : I will continue in the 
way in which I have been . called, in which the Lord him- 
self has led me : he is able to keep me, and I will trust in 
him. While I was thus forming my resolution, and waiting 
with some impatience for the conclusion of the meeting, 
this passage of Scripture came with uncommon power to 
my mind, " Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of 
God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein." Luke 
xviii, 17. My Babel was demolished in a moment ! I felt 
that I was despising His little ones ; that I was lightly 
esteeming "the smoking flax," and turning away from " the 
bruised reed." A critic indeed might have suggested 
something against the propriety of the application of that 
passage of Scripture to my case ; but I knew that it was 
the voice of my Shepherd, and that the words were spoken 
to me. I painfully felt that I had forgotten all that I had 
passed through ; my weak beginnings, my conflicts, my 
frequent backslidings, even after I had been in earnest 
about religion: and I deeply felt, and with shame, how the 
Lord had " waited to be gracious," while I could not bear 



44 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



mi-Age26. 



even the lamented unbelief of those who were still in the 
" horrible pit," or struggling " out of the miry clay," and 
who, for anything that I knew, were as much in earnest as 
ever I had been, All these things passed through my 
mind in the space of a few minutes : I was most happily 
delivered from the temptation ; and bowing down before 
the Lord, I said in my heart, I will sit at the feet of the 
weakest of thy servants. O give me the desire to follow 
thee as " a little child !" Forgive ; and let me ever lie 
at thy feet ! The meeting broke up with prayer, and I 
departed praising and blessing God. The Lord, I found, 
was indeed my leader, and had taught me a very useful 
lesson ; from that time I was, I believe, the most constant 
member of the class. 

I soon became acquainted with some of the people, and 
especially with some young men who lived and walked in 
the spirit of their Master. These were truly helpful to me, 
especially Mr. Edward Gibson, Mr. Bennet Dugdale, and 
Mr. Matthias Joyce, (who became an itinerant preacher,) 
who are now all in a happy eternity. The preacher 
formed us into a band, with two or three others. Then, 
indeed, I proved the blessedness of that fellowship which 
I had longed for. Sweet is the memory of those happy 
meetings ! How thin the veil appeared between us and 
those happy spirits, who, being delivered from the burden 
of the flesh, are in unmixed joy and felicity ! We some- 
times knew not how to part. I had also the privilege of 
meeting with the general bands, in which I still more 
enjoyed the true Christian fellowship, and seemed " to sit 
in heavenly places with Christ Jesus !" I often thought, 
with grateful love, of the great mercy of the Lord, in saving 
me from the offense which I had been so ready to imbibe 
at the spiritual poverty of those who were only weak 
beginners in the class. 

I now began to visit the sick, and those in prison, in 



\m-Age2G. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



4S 



company with my band mates, and others who joined us 
in those labors of love, several years before Dr. Adam 
Clarke founded the Strangers' Friend Society. On those 
occasions we had to witness the most appalling scenes of 
disease, and every species of misery. The jail fever at 
that time made dreadful havoc among the prisoners, and I 
was warned against its pestilential effects ; but " my hope 
was full of immortality," and I had rather "a desire to 
depart," knowing that I should " be with Christ." I felt 
also what Mr. Charles Wesley used to call " a cowardly 
fear of life." I therefore shunned not any sick bed, nor 
the dreadful fever- ward of the Dublin Newgate. 

Upon one of these occasions I was introduced by the 
turnkey to the cell of the condemned prisoners, where I 
found a young man, a soldier, under sentence of death '■> 
but the fever seemed very near delivering him from the 
executioner. I continued to visit him, and he soon 
amended. He was an Englishman, and his name was St. 
George ; and being rather a superior young man, I made 
further inquiries respecting him, and found he had been 
favored with some religious knowledge, and it was " not 
in word only ;-" but he declined from it after he entered 
the army, and at length became so abandoned, that he, 
with others of the same corps, became a highway robber. 
But his career was soon mercifully stopped ; for in an 
attack on a post-chaise, at night, in the Phoenix Park, a 
gentleman fired from the chaise ; and St. George, who was 
foremost, had his arm shattered by the ball. His compan- 
ions escaped, but he was taken on the spot. The case 
was clear, and he was condemned to die, and would 
certainly have been executed, (as many of the soldiers then 
in garrison were become notorious robbers,) but his name 
saved him. The lady of Lord St. George, a very eminent 
family in Ireland, a daughter of which had a little before 
become duchess of Leinster, declared, it seems, that she 



46 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1777-Age26. 



could not live if one of that name were hanged ! The lord 
lieutenant could not stand out against her distress and 
importunity, and St. George's life was spared. 

He informed me that while he was engaged in his 
vicious career, he had the most dreadful convictions for 
sin ; and that when he felt the shot take place, he thanked 
God in his heart that he had arrested him even thus in his 
dreadful course, and he now anticipated death with satis- 
faction. The Lord was very gracious to Mm in his con- 
finement, and had healed his backsliding. I had much 
fellowship with him in the " Friend of sinners.'" and 
parted from him with regret. He was sent to one of the 
foreign settlements— I believe to Africa — to serve for life 
in a corps stationed there. 

We continued our merciful visits, and received much 
blessing and encouragement from the Lord. I have 
known malefactors die, not only in peace, but with joy, 
while they abhorred themselves ! One case was singular. 
A condemned felon of the name of Huggins, a Romanist, 
received with mere civility the word of exhortation from 
us ; but he seemed not only insensible to the horrors of 
his condition, but more careless and hardened than any of 
his wretched companions. He had also a most disagree- 
able and forbidding countenance, — a villain in look as well 
as act. He generally stood up when we spoke to him or 
prayed, but immediately after resumed his wretched pallet, 
and seemed as careless as ever. One night, however, after 
we had left him and his. wretched companions, as I was 
informed, he suddenly rose, and dashed himself, irons and 
all, against the stone floor of the cell, with such violence 
that those who were with him were apprehensive that his 
death would be the consequence, and that perhaps he had 
so designed it. He was raised up, but he immediately 
attempted the same violence again. At length he became 
horribly quiet, proclaiming his perdition as certain ; and 



im-Age26. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



41 



this doom having come from God, there could be no mercy 
for him. He continued in this state for a few days, thank- 
ful to those who spoke to him, but refusing all comfort. I 
was at length informed that God had spoken peace to his 
troubled soul. I hastened to the jail, and being admitted 
to the cell, I eagerly inquired for Huggins : he was standing 
near to me, but I really did not know him ! A countenance 
so transformed I never beheld. He was quite changed in 
aspect ! The smile of God was evident in his features, 
and his whole frame partook of the happiness of his spirit. 
In this state he lived and died, proclaiming his guilt and 
sin, and the mercy of God in Christ Jesus. The aston- 
ishing change had a good effect on his fellow-sufferers ; 
for as they were all going to execution, one of them, a 
Protestant, who was deeply penitent, regarded Huggins 
(whose face shone with happiness) with feelings that 
could not be uttered ; frequently crying out, " O Lord, give 
me an item of it ;" that is, of pardon, which he knew Hug- 
gins possessed. The Popish priest, who attended on horse- 
back at the place of execution, and drew up to the side of 
the cart, knew not what to think respecting Huggins. He 
seemed to regard him as the priests did Madame Guion, 
when they confessed her, and were confounded at the 
depth and purity of her religion ; or like Latimer while 
confessing Bilney the martyr. When the criminals had 
repeated the usual prayers, after the priest, he pronounced 
them ready to die ! Huggins immediately broke out in 
prayer and praise, and began to exhort the people, espe- 
cially the young men. " Hold your tongue, sirrah ! hold 
your tongue, I say !" vociferated the zealous priest. " Sir," 
said Huggins, " the Lord encourages me ; I cannot be 
silent." The whole scene was highly impressive : the 
sheriffs and officers seemed astonished. The happy 
criminal was soon translated to the paradise of God. 
A very extraordinary occurrence took place soon after 



$8 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



in the county jail, at Kilmainham. Two grenadiers, Brown, 
an Englishman, and Cameron, a Scotchman, were con- 
demned for highway robbery. We visited them, and had 
good hope concerning them, as they were attentive to 
what was spoken, and humbled for their sins. They were 
both Protestants, so that there was no inveterate supersti- 
tion in our way, as there was in most other cases. The 
time of their execution drew near, and we resolved to 
spend the last night in prayer with them, We went about 
eight o'clock, and were locked in with them in the cell. 
Mr. Gibson, Mr. Dugdale, and two others, were with me, 
and we found them very composed, but could hardly get a 
word from them : they seemed to be quite changed, and 
almost insensible to their awful condition ; so that my 
thoughts were much troubled, and my hope respecting 
them almost failed. About nine o'clock I proposed prayer ; 
they, however, continued to sit, which shocked me much : 
but just as we were about to kneel down, a noise in the 
large hall just over us arrested our attention. It increased 
every moment, with clashing of irons and stamping, and I 
thought it was a quarrel, and that the officers were striving 
to put an end to it, when I heard the door on the top of the 
stairs, which led to the subterraneous cells, suddenly 
opened with violence, and hurried footsteps descending. 
The iron door of the cell was then opened, with its mas- 
sive chains grating harsh thunder, and a grenadier rushed 
in with his sword drawn. A number of others followed, 
armed in like manner. My first thought, strange to say, 
was a recollection of that passage in Homer, where Hector 
breaks the gate of the Grecian camp, and rushing in, is 
followed by a tide of Trojans, who fill the place. The 
foremost of the soldiers cried out, " Come, my boys, come !" 
and taking the two men in their arms, irons and all, they 
quickly re-ascended the stairs. I thought, Ave ought not 
to stay here ; and immediately, with my companions, es- 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



49 



sayed to follow them ; but one of the soldiers turned about, 
and presenting his sword to my breast, addressed me with 
a strange degree of courtesy in his look and manner, 
considering the occasion, " Sir," said he, " do not attempt 
to follow us ; go back, or you are a dead man." I imme- 
diately receded, and we again assembled in the cell, 
wondering at the awful scene. 

All was soon quiet, and we then ascended to the great 
hall, into which Mr. M'Kinley, the jailor, soon entered in 
a state bordering on distraction, with a blunderbuss in his 
hand, which he seemed ready to discharge upon any person 
who presented himself. He recollected us, and cried out, 
"Ay, these are the persons who have visited these men 
for some time ! Take care of them ; let not one of them 
go away." I stepped forward, and said, " Sir, you need 
not be uneasy about us, we shall not attempt to go till you 
are pleased to dismiss us ; you must be sensible that we 
could not have had any hand in this business, for our own 
lives have been in danger." He turned from me, and 
stamped and vociferated with great violence. He then is- 
sued forth, with a part of the military guard, and some of the 
officers of the prison, in quest of the rescued men ; and I 
sat down on one of the forms, with my companions. A 
total silence reigned in the prison ; and as I was much 
fatigued, I leaned back against the wall, and was soon 
fast asleep. After some time, the return of the jailor and 
his party aroused me. Mr. M'Kinley was now more calm ; 
and addressing me with some civility, said, " Sir, you see 
I am at my post." " Yes, sir," I replied, "I see you are." 
" You think, sir, I could not have prevented this thing ?" 
" I believe not, sir." " You would, perhaps, be ready, if 
called upon, to testify this?" "Yes, sir, most willingly; 
and my friends will do the same." He then took my 
address ; and apologizing for his former hastiness, he dis- 
missed us with the greatest civility. 

3 



50 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1777-iige26. 



The next day I learned several particulars of this ex- 
traordinary event ; and found it was planned and executed 
with great judgment and resolution. After the evening 
parade, at the royal barrack, the party went out, at intervals, 
one by one, and met near the jail at Kilmainham. A ser- 
geant's guard was posted at a small distance from the 
prison, as is usual in Ireland. A few of the solars 
went forward with the most perfect silence, and securing 
the guard-house door on the outside, as well as they could, 
with a rope, remained there to watch it. Two or three 
others then advanced to the jail door, where a sentinel 
stood, and asked him some questions about the men who 
were to be executed the next day. They then rushed 
upon him, disarmed him, and turned him over to their 
fellows behind. They then knocked gently at the jail 
door, and on its being opened, they sprung upon the sen- 
tinel within, who was armed only with his bayonet, (his 
musket lying in a corner of the hall,) which they wrested 
from him, and delivered him to two of their party, threaten- 
ing instant death, in case of any noise or resistance. The 
body of the conspirators then entered, (they were grenadiers, 
and. said to be all robbers,) and seizing the officers in the 
hall, with the turnkey, they compelled the latter, under 
the like threats, to open every door to them. The result 
I have already detailed. They carried the rescued felons 
to a forge at some distance, where they compelled the 
smith to strike off their irons. They then separated, and 
entered the barrack, one by one, as they had proceeded 
from it ; and repaired to their several quarters. We were 
also informed that two soldiers were permitted to speak to 
the condemned men that morning, through the grated door 
of the cell ; and it was supposed they gave them a hint 
of what was intended, which accounts for the altered 
behavior of the criminals toward us. An inquiry was 
instituted, and a reward offered, for the discovery of those 



1777-Age 26. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



51 



concerned. But there was honor, so called, among rogues, 
and the secret was inviolably kept. Brown was afterward 
taken, and executed ; but Cameron escaped. We were 
not called upon, as the magistrates decided that no blame 
could be imputed to the jailor and his officers. 

I was now employed at all my leisure hours in acts of 
mercy ; and I also read much. Mr. Wesley used to say, that 
he needed heat more than light, and therefore he was ever 
to be found where the most pious, even of the very poor, 
were assembled. It was not so with me, for I had a 
mighty heat within me, but I wanted light to regulate it. 
No passage of Scripture seemed difficult to me, but I 
could not arrange the knowledge which I possessed, and 
my comforts were often lessened by that defect. But my 
companions helped me to some volumes of Mr. Wesley's 
Tracts. There I found what I so much wanted : he never 
lowered the standard as declared in Holy Scripture, but 
always showed me how I might grow up to it ; while his 
lucid arrangement, and his enforcement of " the whole 
truth as it is in Jesus," were " spirit and life" to me. His 
controversial Tracts, — his Letters to Bishop Warburton, to 
the Bishop of London, and to the other opponents of Metho- 
dism in its early days, — were truly edifying. I saw the 
order as well as the beauty of religion, and was enabled, 
to the praise of the Lord, to " grow in grace, and in the 
knowledge and love of God." 

The society became more lively and zealous ; and some 
of the people conceived a desire to enlarge the work. A 
prayer meeting was begun in a part of the suburbs called 
Dolphin's Barn ; a place mentioned by Mr. Charles Wesley 
with great thankfulness, as the first comfortable station for 
Methodism in Dublin : but after building the chapel in 
Whitefriar's-street, it was given up. The people flocked 
to it, and soon the place was too strait for us. They then 
took a deserted weaver's workshop, and fitted it up with 



52 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



ITU-Age 26. 



forms and a desk. I was soon fully engaged in this labor 
of love also ; and after trying to do good by exhortation 
and prayer, I was urged to preach. I did not dare to 
refuse, although it was, in truth, a great trial to me, as I 
knew so little of even the necessary art of preaching. But 
much warmth, with some arrangement, which I had lately 
learned, made up for the want of greater accuracy. My 
beginning was soon noised abroad, and so many came from 
all parts to hear, that I was almost discouraged by reason 
of the multitude. I dared not, however, go back ; and the 
Lord encouraged me in private, and also by giving his 
blessing to my weak endeavors. I was strengthened 
also by the most pious people of the society ; and when 
the preacher visited the place, he found twenty-six persons 
in the society, all of whom were either convinced of sin, 
or happy in " the knowledge of God," as being " merciful 
to their unrighteousness, and remembering their sins no 
more." 

These various exercises, together with the writings of 
Mr. Wesley, began to discover to me not only the need 
there was for watchfulness and prayer, but of a deeper 
work of grace. I had now got into a new world, a 
religious world, and began to discover the "mystery of 
iniquity," which has always been in the church, even in 
that church which is " called out of the world" by the word 
and Spirit of God. Shallow and superficial convictions ; 
conversions not truly evangelical, and consequently not 
" unto God ;" unfaithfulness to the divine call ; backsliding 
in heart ; — all this surrounded me, and distressed me ex- 
ceedingly. I could thus easily interpret our Lord's parable 
of the sower ; the wise and foolish virgins ; the tares and 
the wheat, and others. I remembered also the sorrowful 
confession of those who are called to public work in the 
church, " My own vineyard have I not kept." I examined 
myself as in the presence of the Author of my faith, but 



IT77-Age26. LIFE OP HENRY MOORE. 



53 



could not discover any worldly principle remaining in my 
heart ; and that I had no desire for anything that the 
world, or even the church, could offer me. But I began 
to feel what my heart was capable of, if it should cease 
one moment to live by faith. The law of God also pursued 
me, and would have brought me again into bondage, had 
I not been enabled to take refuge in the Saviour. In all 
this conflict, Mr. Wesley's writings, next to the inspired, 
afforded me solid help and comfort. I was directed by 
them to " the great and precious promises, by which we 
are partakers of the divine nature, and escape the corrup- 
tion that is in the world." I accordingly became very 
diligent and earnest in seeking "full sanctification," al- 
though uncertain if I did not already possess it. I believe 
I truly did possess what Arvid Gradin gave to Mr. Wesley* 
as his definition of the Trhr]po<f)opia mcrrso)^, " the full as- 
surance of faith," testifying that it was his own experience : 
" Repose in the blood of Christ, a firm confidence in God, 
and persuasion of his favor ; serene peace, and steadfast 
tranquillity of mind, with a deliverance from fleshly (unholy) 
desire, and from every inward and outward sin."f But I 
remembered that God had pronounced " the heart of man 
to be deceitful above all things," and I therefore determined 
to seek the blessing, and not rest while a doubt should re- 
main. But I certainly raised the standard too high : my 
views were not entirely Scriptural ; and I was still very 
deficient in the knowledge of divinity. I afterward found 
that I hoped, in several respects, to extinguish nature, as 
well as the rebellious principle of it — sin. By a course of 

* Vide " Life of the Rev. John Wesley," by Mr. Moore ; also 
Wesley's Works, vol. vi, 486. 

t Requies in sanguine Christi ; firma fiducia in Deum, et persuasio 
de gratia divina: tranquillitas mentis summa, atque serenitas et 
pax ; cum absentia omnis desiderii carnalis et cessatione peccatorum 
etiam internorum. 



54 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1778-^ige27. 



fasting, and by every species of self-denial, I aimed at a 
victory over the body, which nearly effected its destruc- 
tion. For sixty years I felt the effect of those austerities, 
to which also I had recourse after I had become an 
itinerant preacher. My constitution, naturally very strong, 
became much enfeebled, and I seldom enjoyed an hour's 
comfortable health ; yet I was strangely kept from ad- 
verting to the real cause of this discomfort, but imputed it 
all to weakness of faith. The Lord, however, looked on 
my efforts with the eyes of his mercy, and I received 
many blessings from him. One day in particular, in 
secret prayer, he so graciously visited me, that from that 
hour to the present, (and it is now more than fifty years,) 
notwithstanding unfaithfulness that will ever humble me 
before him, I never came under the power of unbelief. 
" The things not seen," of which the apostle says " faith 
is the evidence," have been as constant and clear to my 
mind, as the things which I see with my bodily eyes. 

Although worldly things were a great cross and burden 
to me, yet I felt the duty of being diligent in business ; 
and found satisfaction in thus mortifying what might per- 
haps be called by some a right feeling, from a sense of 
duty. My mother was much pleased at this, and urged 
me to enter into business for myself. I was, through 
great mercy, " under the law to Christ," so that I dared 
not to resist any advice that was agreeable to that law. 
I therefore signified my consent to the proposal, and a 
house proper for the purpose was at length found ; but I 
had much fear lest I should prevent any gracious purpose 
which the Lord might have concerning me. Temporal 
affairs were my duty, but my mind was continually carried 
above them, so that they truly became a burden : yet I 
felt it to be the burden of my Lord and Master, and I there- 
fore resolved to bear it, until he should fully show me his 
will. A house, however, seemed a decisive step, and I 



VHB-Age 27. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



55 



therefore took every step toward it with fear and trembling. 
I continued a course of fasting and prayer, that the Lord 
might interpose and prevent that, and every other attach- 
ment which was not his will concerning me. At length it 
was thought that we ought to agree to the terms proposed 
respecting the house ; and my mother, with some friends, 
came to town for that purpose. I offered myself willingly 
to their design, but with much fear, which I carefully con- 
cealed. We were assembled, and one of the friends was 
dispatched to the landlord, to inform him that we were 
met, and were disposed to agree to his terms ; but he soon 
returned with the intelligence that the house had been 
taken about an hour before, by a person who had formerly 
refused the terms which we had now agreed to. This was 
a great disappointment to my friends ; but I bowed in heart 
to the will of the Lord, hoping that he had some better 
employment for me, although I had now learned to tremble 
at the thought. 

This one subject now occupied my mind : I had no doubt 
that it was my duty to do all the good I could, both in 
public and in private. Several of the members of the 
Methodist society, and of the most pious, were continually 
encouraging me to lay aside every weight, and to devote 
myself entirely to the Lord's work. The numbers of per- 
sons that attended my very plain but practical preaching, 
with the effects which followed, encouraged me to think 
that I had a real call to the ministry. But I had many 
and very serious doubts if I were called to live by the 
gospel ; and I felt that I would much rather eat my own 
bread. I dreaded the thought of dependence on the 
creature, in any shape; and greatly feared that it might be 
a snare to me. I feared also, that the great dislike which 
I felt to all worldly employments was a snare of the 
enemy, in order to make me a " servant of men," instead 
of being "the free servant of Christ." Thus I was per- 



56 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



n78-Age 27. 



plexed, but preserved from all " fear that hath torment" 
believing that the Lord, who had so graciously led me 
hitherto, would make my way plain to do his will. 

These exercises of mind, while they determined me to 
do nothing without the Lord, made my usual employment 
more burdensome to me. I was obliged frequently to 
associate with very ungodly men ; and as I could not 
" suffer sin upon them," or be silent when I heard their 
perverse disputings against religion, I was almost continually 
involved in contention. At length I resolved, too hastily 
I fear, to cast off this uneasiness, and to adopt a buisness 
more congenial to my mind. I mentioned to some of my 
religious friends that I would take pupils, and instruct them 
in the elements of classical learning. Immediately I had 
as many as I could well attend to, and in a little time my 
prospects became very encouraging. I was surprised at 
the love of the people. Those with whom I had very 
little intercourse, and whose favor I certainly had not 
sought, seemed rejoiced to have their sons under my care : 
some of the young men were very promising, and very 
docile ; they seemed to love me, as I did them. With one 
of them I had sweet intercourse, in my late visits to 
Ireland ; and, after so many years, I rejoiced to find him 
my brother in Christ, although he was a doctor of civil 
law in the university. 

All my friends rejoiced at my having adopted this line 
of employment, and were so zealous for my continuance 
therein, that I became alarmed; and soon began to fear 
that I had cast off the cross of the Lord, and taken an 
earthly path. After suffering in this way for some time, I 
resolved to escape from this snare, if indeed it were so. 
I could not determine concerning it with any clearness ; 
but I was conscious of a diminution of my happiness. 
There was but one way of deliverance, — to give up my 
pupils, and return to my usual employment, and literally to 



1779-Age 28. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



5? 



observe the apostolic precept, " Wherein a man is called, 
let him therein abide with God." But this I could not do 
in Dublin ; all my friends would cry out against it ; nor 
could I show them any satisfactory reason for my acting 
thus. Yet it seemed I must do it : I accordingly gave up 
my pupils, and immediately embarked for England, " casting 
all my care upon the Lord," and leaving all my temptations 
behind me. 

I arrived at Liverpool, and went to the house of a rela- 
tion, who received me very affectionately. Here the Lord 
arrested me, and gave to my life a decisive turn, for 
which I hope to praise him to all eternity. After a little 
time, and while deliberating about my future conduct, I 
received a letter from the late Mr. Watkinson, Mr. Wesley's 
general assistant for Ireland, containing an order from him 
that I should proceed immediately to the Londonderry 
circuit, and take the place of Mr. GarTney, who had died a 
little before ; and calling upon me to return to Dublin im- 
mediately. Mr. Watkinson also informed me, to my great 
surprise, that my mother had fully consented to my obeying 
the order of Mr. Wesley, and that I should thus be given 
up to the work. Perhaps nothing but an extraordinary 
providence of this kind could have fully satisfied my mind. 
I so greatly reverenced Mr. Wesley, that I concluded he 
must be directed by the Lord, and I submitted to the direc- 
tion. At a visit which he had made to Dublin, a few 
months before this time, I was introduced to him, and most 
kindly received : and he even intimated that we might be 
more closely united. Upon the whole, my mind acquiesced 
in what appeared to be the will of the Lord ; and I resolved 
to devote myself, body, soul, and spirit, to the work, and 
live and die in his service. 

I returned immediately to Dublin, and found indeed " all 
things ready." My mother, who had earnestly wished to 
have me near her, and therefore dreaded the thoughts of 
3* 



58 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1779-^4^28. 



my being given up to the work, was now reconciled to 
this trying dispensation. My appointment was in Ireland, 
so that she had hopes of seeing me at proper intervals. 
She had some time before begun to think seriously of her 
state before God ; and her self-righteous notions faded 
away before him. Her fair reputation, her blameless life 
before the world, and her being of the church, no longer 
sufficed : she considered " the law of God," and acknow- 
ledged that her " wages were death :" she then became 
a sincere pleader of " the blood of the covenant," and not 
in vain: she confessed Christ; and so entirely deprecated 
her former opposition, that she was soon made to taste of 
my cup from her unawakened relations. My sisters also 
became attentive to religion, and joined the society. Every- 
thing was made comfortable : and I departed for my circuit 
in the beginning of May, 1779, praising and blessing God. 

My journey to Londonderry was, upon the whole, a 
pleasing one, although marked by some incidents that were 
uncommon. I traveled in company with a clergyman, 
who had been some time with Mr. Wesley; but his 
eccentricity not agreeing with the regular and sober, 
though active and ardent, views and conduct of that man 
of God, he was now returning to his friends. This gentle- 
man was sincerely devoted, but his judgment was weak. 
He delayed me much upon the road, by stopping to speak 
to all whom we met, and sometimes praying with them. 
When a number of men were at work on the road, he 
would exhort them, not only "to flee from the wrath to 
come," but he would press upon them some of the highest 
truths of the gospel. When at length I could get him to 
proceed, a thought would strike him, that he had sought 
his own glory in what he had said ; and nothing could 
satisfy him but he must ride back, and acknowledge the 
" pride of his heart," to which he had given way : and this 
he did repeatedly, to the amazement of his poor, and 



\T79-Age28. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



59 



generally very ignorant, auditors. As I had a real respect 
for this gentleman, I bore with much of this kind of 
unwise and intemperate zeal ; but I was obliged to tell him, 
at length, that if he should persist to delay me thus, I must 
leave him, and pursue my journey alone. This had the 
desired effect, and we proceeded on our route, with, how- 
ever, some small stoppages, for the same pious purpose ; 
to which I did not object. 

We reached Clones, about half way to Londonderry, on 
the Saturday evening, and agreed to spend the sabbath 
there. The society was, at that time, remarkable for the 
zeal, unanimity, and love of its members. My pious com- 
panion seemed quite at home among the people, and I 
was much encouraged. While we stayed in this place, I 
learned some particulars of the beginning and progress of 
the work of God at Clones. A preacher from a neigh- 
boring circuit visited that town, and preached in the 
market-place. Many attended, and much good seemed 
to be doing among the people ; but some ungodly men, 
chiefly Romanists, assembled, and greatly disturbed and 
annoyed the congregation, so that it was feared the place 
must be given up, as no magistrate would interfere. Just 
when this fear was at its height, a very unexpected, strange 
occurrence took place. An old military pensioner, a 
Presbyterian, surprised the preacher and the congregation 
by taking his stand by a tree in the centre of the market- 
place, with his musket in his hand ; and using the name 
of God, alas ! in a dreadful way of appeal, he declared that 
he would shoot the first man that should pass that tree to 
disturb the preacher ! His word was certainly attended 
with power of some kind ; for not one of the rioters, although 
they shouted at a distance, attempted to pass the prescribed 
limit. The rough old soldier mounted guard regularly every 
sabbath afternoon, for some weeks, and until all opposition 
ceased. What strange instruments are sometimes raised 



60 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1779-^28. 



up to prevent or defeat the designs of hell ! But the 
defeated persecutors were determined to have their revenge. 
They waylaid the preacher after he had preached at a 
country place near to Clones, and so dreadfully beat and 
wounded him, that it was thought he could not long survive. 
He, however, recovered, and lived a few years, and was 
strengthened so as to be able to preach sometimes at 
Clones, where he settled ; for his itinerant labors were 
thus brought to a conclusion. He was greatly beloved ; 
and Mr. Wesley has mentioned the name of James M'Bur- 
ney with honor in his Journal. After my fellow-traveler 
had preached in the evening, (as I had done in the morning 
at seven o'clock,) this suffering servant of Christ met the 
society, and I no longer wondered at the lively devotedness 
of the people. He departed to his reward not long after, 
praying for his persecutors. I was much encouraged by 
all I saw, and all I heard, at Clones. 

We then proceeded to Londonderry, where the very 
respectable family of my fellow-traveler resided, and I was 
soon left at liberty to enter upon my own work. I found 
the late Rev. John Brettell there, preparing to sail for 
England ; but as the Rev. Thomas Barber, a zealous man, 
(but since gone to his reward,) was expected to take his 
place, I found my destination was Coleraine, the second 
place on the circuit. There were some country places 
attached to each, and the preachers changed every three 
months. I departed therefore for my scene of labor, and 
walked the twenty-eight miles with some fatigue of body, 
but with much profit, as being suited to my ideas of the 
simplicity of the gospel, and to the hardness which the 
apostle recommends to Timothy, " his son in the gospel." 
During the short time I remained in Londonderry, I became 
acquainted with Alexander Knox, Esq., and with the pious 
lady his mother, and the other kind relatives of the family. 
I have always remembered this event of my life with great 



1779-^28. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 61 

pleasure ; for our acquaintance, in my subsequent visits, 
ripened into friendship. I had always a most sincere and 
hearty welcome at their mansion. Mr. Knox in after life 
became conspicuous as a scholar and a Christian ; and I 
have mentioned him in my Life of the Rev. John Wesley, 
as the early friend of that great man ; and I trust our 
friendship will be confirmed in a happy eternity. 

I arrived at Coleraine in the month of May, 1779. The 
society there was but newly formed ; and I found it in a 
very different state from that at Londonderry, its elder 
sister by many years. The inhabitants in both places 
were (as they are at this day) an " understanding people," 
and almost exclusively Protestant. The preachers met 
with no violent opposition in either place ; and the com- 
mon people were allowed to hear the gospel without any 
interruption or apparent displeasure, from their more po- 
lished neighbors. At Londonderry very few except the 
poor attended the preaching at its first introduction, until a 
remarkable event aroused the attention of some of the 
principal inhabitants : a small tract, published by the society 
in Dublin, was sent down and circulated throughout the city, 
which gave an account of the happy death of a Mr. Weare, 
who had belonged to one of the regiments of cavalry then 
quartered in Dublin. His conduct had been generally 
sober and decorous ; but having been wounded in the head, 
while engaged in foreign service, he could never afterward 
bear even what is called a moderate quantity of liquor. 
In an unhappy time of diseased inebriety, he drew his 
sword and wounded a person who had insulted him : the 
wound proved mortal ; and being apprehended while asleep 
in his bed, at the barrack, he was brought to trial, and 
condemned to die, although he protested in the court, with 
every appearance of sincerity, (in which he persisted to 
the last,) that he had not the smallest degree of recollec- 
tion of the unfortunate deed. He was visited in the prison 



62 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1779-Age28. 



by our friends, and God gave him "repentance unto life 
he lived and died a Avitness of the full power of the gospel. 

This tract made some noise in Londonderry : Mr. Knox, 
the father of the gentleman already mentioned, was a mem- 
ber of the corporation, and perhaps the most respected of 
the body on account of his great ability and admirable 
character. He was, with his excellent partner, sincerely 
attached to the Established Church; but, like many others, 
they legalized the gospel, and expected acceptance and 
happiness as the result of their religious performances, 
rather than, as sinners, by the atonement of the Son of 
God. Much uneasiness and discouragement was, of course, 
the result of their deep mistake, when Mrs. Knox met 
with the account of the conversion and happy death of 
Mr. Weare. She read, — rather, she devoured it; — and 
her husband, entering the room as she finished the tract, 
she met him, crying out, " Here, Mr. Knox ! here is the 
religion that will make you and me happy ! — read it, and 
praise God, who hath showed us 'the way of peace.'" 
Mr. Knox read it, believed, and "gave glory to God!" 
They both became constant hearers at the Methodist 
chapel ; and soon after joined the society, at the room 
hired for the preaching, in " that day of small things ;" 
but, through the curiosity soon excited in the city by Mr. 
and Mrs. Knox becoming Methodists, it was found far too 
small to hold those who wished to hear, among whom were 
many of the higher class ; and a chapel became necessary, 
which was soon after erected. Methodism was thus 
rendered strangely popular in the city of Londonderry ; 
and when Mr. Wesley visited it, he remarks, with surprise, 
and even with fear, that he was become an honorable man, 
being placed, at church, in the next pew to the mayor ! 

This sunshine was not of long continuance : a false step 
made by a preacher, an eminent man, soon showed that 
much of the seed of life had fallen upon " stony places." 



HIQ-Age 28. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



63 



By the fall of this man many were offended, and an abun- 
dant excuse was furnished to the genteel part of the con- 
gregation to withdraw, and be content with a gospel which 
flesh and blood had revealed unto them ; and when I was 
sent to the circuit, Londonderry was suffering the usual 
privations of such a sifting time. Mr. Knox, however, 
" knew in whom he had believed," and bore the reproach, 
continuing faithful unto his death, which happened some 
time before my arrival ; and I found Mrs. Knox still con- 
fessing Christ, and attached to his tempted followers. 

It was some years after the advance and decline of the 
work at Londonderry that the preachers visited Coleraine. 
They preached at first in the street, and met with no 
opposition : the inhabitants were, in general, remarkable 
both for mild temper and conduct : and in a little time a 
small society was formed, consisting chiefly of the poor. 
In these, the change was so remarkable, that it begat 
general good will, and the respectable part of the town 
seemed to have an impression that this way was well cal- 
culated to do good to the common people. A large room 
in the deserted barrack was soon fitted up, and well filled 
with attentive hearers ; who soon were called by the mild 
appellation of " the poor folk at the barrack." It was soon 
observed, however, that those who attended there went 
regularly to church on the Lord's day ; and by their clean- 
liness, sobriety, and apparent devotion, they increased the 
good will of the inhabitants. 

The work soon advanced : a Mrs. Dawson, a very 
respectable gentlewoman, well known and much beloved 
among the people in Limerick and Dublin, happened 
to visit Coleraine, in the vicinity of which she had 
a married daughter. She was directed to call on a Mrs. 
Young, a widow lady, related to some of the first families 
of that part of the kingdom. Being from home, Miss Young, 
her daughter, received Mrs. Dawson, who in the course of 



64 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1779-^28. 



her conversation inquired if there were any Methodists in 
that town. Miss Young answered, there were a people so 
called, who assembled at the old barrack ; but observed, 
that she could not give any particular account of them, as 
none of the " better sort" of the inhabitants had any 
intercourse with them. Mrs. Dawson, always intent on 
doing good, took the opportunity given her by this expres- 
sion, of informing her young friend who were in truth the 
better sort of people, to the great surprise of Miss Young, 
who had never heard a gentlewoman speak thus about 
religion. The conversation never departed from her mind, 
and especially what she said about knowing God, — a point 
of religion which utterly amazed her. She resolved, how- 
ever, to visit the poor folk at the barrack ; and soon, with 
her sister, the late Mrs. Rutherford, attended as a constant 
hearer. 

The two Misses Young becoming Methodists, as it was 
supposed they were, by their constant attendance, excited 
no small surprise among their gay associates, by whom 
they were much beloved. But Mrs. Young and the dif- 
ferent branches of the family were exceedingly alarmed, 
and concluded that disgrace to the whole family, and utter 
ruin to the prospects of the young persons concerned, must 
be the inevitable consequence of such a mean association. 
For some time they suffered that kind of persecution which 
our Lord describes as the consequence of his coming into 
the world : — the family was completely divided ; and the 
troublers of the household, who had introduced such a 
strange religion as would not admit of cards and dancing, 
were obliged, in order to avoid continual opposition and 
vexation, to confine themselves almost entirely to their own 
apartments. 

Their suffering and constancy were not lost. They had 
a remarkable effect on several of the upper class, and a new 
congregation was observed to assemble at the barrack. 



1T79-Age28. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



65 



The Presbyterians were moved, and several of the first 
families among them, renouncing their semi-pelagian 
notions, gladly listened to the plain gospel, which of old 
had been " preached to the poor," and was still found to 
be " the power of God unto salvation to every one that 
believeth." Many of the church people constantly attended; 
and the ministers, who were pious men, became very 
friendly. Mr. Jackson, the representative of the town in 
parliament, with his excellent lady, sister of the late Lord 
O'Neil, who had suffered for her religion in her own family, 
were particularly attentive to the Misses Young, and spoke 
favorably of the people : and when Mr. "Wesley, in his 

course, visited Coleraine, he was invited by the Rev. > 

Boyd to his church, where Mr. and Mrs. Jackson attended, 
who seemed to rejoice in showing every mark of respect. 
In the evening of the same day, Mr. Wesley pursued his 
usual course, from which he never could be diverted by 
either honor or dishonor, and preached in the barrack 
square, (which was filled from end to end,) from, " With 
joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." 
Isaiah xii, 3. It was Whitsunday ; and by all that I heard 
speak of it, it was a most powerful discourse. Many saw, 
and some felt, that the wells were still open to them, and 
that the "joy" was still the privilege of those who believe. 

It was about a year after these favorable events that I 
arrived in Coleraine. Never have I known a society 
more dead to the world, more alive to God, or more attached 
to the whole of what is called Methodism. The meetings 
were very lively ; the congregations increased ; and every 
one seemed to say with the apostle, " This one thing I do, 
forgetting the things that are behind, and reaching forth to 
the things that are before, I press toward the mark, for the 
prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." I put 
the most pious into bands, and appointed a general meeting 
to be held one evening in the week. I preached every 



66 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1779-J^e28. 



morning at five o'clock, (which was indeed the stated duty 
of every preacher,) and very seldom preached less than 
fifteen times a week. I also preached abroad ; and as I 
had, in truth, but one thing to mind and to do, I felt but 
little need of what is called study. My discourses might 
be all said to be extempore, as they generally have been 
ever since ; and I never wanted matter, which the Lord 
enabled me to arrange according to the analogy of faith. 
My daily reading abundantly supplied me with what I 
found to be acceptable and edifying : converts increased ; 
and the believers " grew in grace, and in the knowledge 
and love of God." 

The two Misses Young were the principal members of 
the society ; and they were, in every respect, exemplary. 
Mr. Wesley had noticed them, and appeared much interested 
about them. His Journal, written at that time, relates the 
following event : " Sunday, June 7, 1778. — In the evening 
I saw a pleasing sight, — a young gentlewoman had entered 
into the society without the knowledge of her relations ; 
she was informed this evening that her sister was speaking 
to me on the same account. As soon as we came into the 
room, she ran to her sister, fell upon her neck, wept over 
her, and could just say, ' O sister, sister !' before she fell 
down upon her knees to praise God. Her sister could 
hardly bear it ; she was in tears too, and so were all in the 
room. Such are the first-fruits at Coleraine. May there 
be a suitable harvest !" The preacher who was present 
informed me, that it was too much for Mr. Wesley : after 
looking on for some moments, he ran into an adjoining 
apartment, and shut the door. 

After some time I found I could not regard Miss Young 
with indifference, or merely as an estimable member of the 
society. I found she was, in truth, " a member of Christ, 
a child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven." 
Her temper and person were very amiable ; and her zeal, 



1779-^e28. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



67 



which was conspicuous, was.truly the flame of love to God 
and truth : she was in every respect such a one as I 
should choose as a partner for life, without fear of our 
being separated in eternity. I had for some time thought 
it my duty to marry, when I could meet with a person 
whom I might reasonably hope would be no hinderance, but 
a help to me. I had prayed much that the Lord would 
choose for me ; and having found that I was not indifferent 
to her, I concluded that the Lord had answered my prayers. 
Miss Young had no independent fortune — nothing that 
could be separated from the family. This circumstance 
gave me no uneasiness, as I feared riches much more than 
poverty ; a sentiment in which every page of the Bible 
confirmed me, and in which she also concurred. I con- 
sulted Mr. Wesley, and soon obtained his prompt and most 
kind approbation. My superintendent also greatly ap- 
proved ; and one thing only was wanting, — to get the 
consent of Mrs. Young. But she, having employed a 
friend who was about to visit Dublin, to make inquiry 
concerning my family and connections, that hinderance was 
also removed, and her approbation, with that of the whole 
family, obtained. 



68 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



IT79-Age28. 



BOOK II. 

FROM HIS MARRIAGE TO THE DEATH OF MR. WESLEY. 
[1779—1791.] 

When the period of my removal approached, I thought 
of writing to Mr. Wesley concerning my circuit, as I had 
a tender partner that knew nothing of an itinerant life, and 
I feared that a hard entrance might be too great a trial for 
her ; but I found that I could not do it. I feared, more 
than everything else, the taking myself out of the hands 
of " the chief Shepherd, who is head over all things to his 
church." In this my dear partner cheerfully concurred, 
and we agreed to leave ourselves in the hands of the Lord. 
The trial, however, proved more than I apprehended. The 
Charlemount circuit, to which I was appointed, unlike to 
that of Londonderry, was a mere riding circuit, and of 
great extent ; and I found that we should be very seldom 
together, not oftener than once in three weeks, and even at 
those times for not more than two or three days at most. 
Besides, there was no provision for a married preacher, no 
lodgings, (a house was unknown except in Dublin.) I 
need not enter into detail ; we found we must " endure 
hardness ;" we felt- the trial, the sharpest point of which 
was our separation ; but " we encouraged ourselves in the 
Lord our God," whose eye we knew was continually over 
us for our good. 

My dear partner suffered much more than I did ; for we 
could get no lodgings but at Tanderagee, where the people 
were very poor ; but they were very devoted, and their 
religion was exemplary and powerful. In this she found 
great comfort, joining with them in all their self-denying 



1780-Age29. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



69 



practices, rising every morning to the prayer meetings, 
which were held in summer at five o'clock, and in winter 
at six. She truly added to their spiritual life ; met the 
children of the society weekly, and strove to impart the 
religion she possessed to their tender minds. The society 
were greatly edified by her spirit and conduct. She was 
considered " as an angel of God," and as " conformed to the 
image of his Son." Those inhabitants who feared God, 
and especially the church people, soon noticed her ; and 

the Rev. Leslie, the rector, a pious and amiable man, 

was often her visitor. But this way of life, to which she 
cheerfully submitted, her constant self-denial, with pain at 
my absence, (which she could not wholly subdue,) laid the 
foundation of that weakness which ever after accompanied 
her. 

After five or six months, the Lord opened, unexpectedly, 
a rill of comfort to us. A Mr. Young, a clergyman, cousin 
to my wife, had heard of our marriage ; he lived about five 
miles from Charlemount, at a beautiful parsonage, very 
appropriately called Eden; he was also chaplain to the 
garrison at Charlemount. One of his servants was a mem- 
ber of the Methodist society, and by her he sent his 
respects, requesting that we would visit him. While we 
thought of this, and hesitated through fear whether we 
should accept the invitation, our regular quarterly meeting 
assembled at Charlemount. Mr. Young had notice of it 
by his servant, and his eldest son appeared at our residence 
the next morning, mounted, with a pillion behind him for 
Mrs. Moore, with a pressing request that we should visit 
his father that day. We were received by Mr. and Mrs. 
Young in the most cordial and affectionate manner. A 
kind invitation was given to me, to visit them as often as 
possible ; and as they well knew the way of life which 
belonged to a Methodist preacher, I was pressed to leave 
Mrs. Moore with them, and that their house should be her 



70 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1780-^29. 



home while we stayed on the circuit. I learned, in con- 
versation with Mr. Young, after we became more intimate, 
that we had been at the same school, — he a young man, 
and I but a little boy : this seemed to increase his kind- 
ness, and the attention and respect with which we were 
regarded by the whole family. My dear partner now 
lived as she had been used to do, and even with consider- 
able increase in all the comforts of this life. But she 
attended the preaching and prayer meetings in all the 
villages which she could reach ; our kind relative giving 
every facility to the accomplishment of her wishes, and 
his son being always in readiness to attend her ; and she 
appeared to grow in grace by all that she now enjoyed, 
as she had done by what she before suffered. When the 
time of our removal came, we parted from this generous 
man, and from his affectionate partner and family, with 
evident regret on both sides. 

Another circumstance enabled me to believe that we 
had not lost our providential way in leaving our appoint- 
ment to the Lord. I had, as before related, used self- 
denial to a very imprudent degree, and had greatly impaired 
my strength ; which, with constant and earnest preaching, 
and very poor living, had brought on a complaint in my 
breast, and pain, which now threatened me with a con- 
sumption. There was no prospect of relief before me in 
the circuit ; rather, the hard fare, great labor, and constant 
exposure to all kinds of weather, appeared to preclude all 
hope of amendment. I had many painful thoughts, chiefly 
respecting my dear partner ; but the Lord showed me that 
he had ways "to foolish man unknown," and could make 
all work for my good. The county of Armagh, the chief 
scene of my labor, abounded in fruit, particularly apples ; 
even the cottages had each a little orchard, and I took a 
most uncommon liking to those apples, and ate them in great 
quantities, with an appetite that surprised me. The kind 



l780-Age2Q. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



11 



people, observing this, laid by a store of the very best, 
against the time of my visiting them ; and when I departed, 
they loaded my saddle-bags with them. I became won- 
derfully amended ; and nearly recovered before we left the 
circuit. Reflecting on this kind providential suggestion, 
I acknowledged the hand of the Lord ; and determined, 
more than ever, to " leave to his sovereign sway to choose 
and to command." 

Besides the general progress of the work of God on this 
circuit, there were some things which were very extra- 
ordinary, and which, I think, ought not to be lost. In 
going through my circuit, the first time, which required six 
weeks to accomplish, I came to Glass Lough on Saturday, 
which was market-day. I had no direction to any particular 
person ; but I thought some member of the society was 
probably in the market, and would recognize me. Accord- 
ingly I suffered my horse to walk easily through the prin- 
cipal opening, when I saw a lusty man leave the stalls, 
and place himself, leaning on his staff, right in my way. 
When I came within about three yards of him, he held up 
his hand, and vociferated, " I know what you are !" " Do 
you ?" said I, " then perhaps you know where I am to go ?" 
He flourished his hand over his head, rejoiced that he was 
not mistaken, and cried out, " Follow me !" He stalked 
before, and brought me to the house of that excellent woman, 
Mrs. Elizabeth Beaver, commonly called Betty Beaver, "an 
Israelite indeed," and I believe a true witness of the "perfect 
love " mentioned by St. John. It was my way to see my 
horse put up before I entered any house where there was 
no male servant ; I accordingly went to the stable, whither 
I was followed by my unknown guide, who immediately 
began to inform me of the distress of his soul ; and it was 
so great that " he roared for the disquietness of his heart." 
I saw he had a deep work upon his soul ; which he ex- 
pressed with characteristic feelings, and in vehement lan- 



72 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1780-Age29. 



guage ; but he had grieved the Spirit of God. I spoke 
kindly to him, and desired him to return to the market, 
and come to me when it was over. He accordingly came, 
and made known the cause of his distress. I told him to 
come the next morning, Sunday, at seven o'clock, when I 
was to meet the society, to which I would introduce him ; 
and engage them to pray for him. He attended accordingly, 
and we had a truly penitential scene, at Which the poor 
broken-hearted sinner was much comforted. I gave him 
a note of admission, and preached at nine o'clock, when I 
was obliged to depart to the other places which I had to 
visit that day. 

What I learned about this man was very extraordinary. 
His name was Bartholomew (commonly called Bartle) 
Campbell. He had been a Romanist, and had lived in the 
usual ungodly way of the common Irish of that church. 
But the Holy Spirit failed not " to convince him of sin, 
of righteousness, and of judgment;" and poor Bartle 
hardened not his heart against the divine Reprover. He 
went to the priest, made confession, was enjoined penance, 
and directed to repeat certain prayers, after which he 
received absolution : but he found this would not do. His 
distress increased, and, as he said, hell was open before 
his eyes. He applied to other priests, faithfully performed 
what he was commanded, but only reaped additional misery. 
He at length thought he would go to Lough Darigg, a 
famous station in the north of Ireland, where it is supposed 
all sin can be expiated. He walked thither, a distance of 
about forty Irish (nearly sixty English) miles, living on 
the hospitality of the people of the Romish Church. He 
arrived at the lough, (lake,) and passed to the small isle in 
the centre, the sanctum sanctorum of the station. He applied 
to one of the priests in waiting, who prescribed penance, 
and the prayers usually enjoined. This, though severe, 
he fulfilled with the greatest exactness, and then received 



178(KAg*29. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



73 



absolution. But, as in the former case, he found these 
" beggarly elements " availed nothing. The cloud of the 
divine displeasure remained, and his guilt pressed still 
more heavily on his conscience. He returned to the priest, 
and made known the misery that he felt. The priest in- 
quired concerning the exact fulfillment of his penance, and 
of the prayers that he had prescribed, all which he assured 
him he had most punctually fulfilled. " Did I not give you 
absolution?" said the priest. "You did, father." "And 
do you deny the authority of the church ?" " By no means," 
replied the poor man : " but my soul is in misery, — what 
shall I do ?" " Do!" said the priest, "why, go to bed and 
sleep !" " Sleep !" said the poor penitent : " no, father, — 
perhaps I may awake in hell." The conversation quickly 
ended by his being threatened with a horsewhip. 

He accordingly departed with his load of wo ; and 
seeking a retired place, he cast himself on the ground, and 
gave vent to his anguish in loud cries and tears. After 
some time he found a desire to pray ; and anguish gave 
utterance to his troubled spirit. He called upon Christ, 
and pleaded his precious blood. In a moment all his 
distress was gone, and a confidence was given him that 
God had taken away his sins ; and the peace of God 
overflowed his soul. After praising the riches of the 
divine grace, he returned in transport to. the priest, crying 
out, " O father, I am happy. I have found the cure /" 
His ghostly pastor answered only with execrations, and a 
renewed threat of manual chastisement. Thus repelled, 
he thought of home ; but recollecting having seen a num- 
ber of persons performing their different penances, he 
hastened to the place, and calling them off from their 
" wood, hay, and stubble," he told them of the cure, and 
of the jewel, (which were his terms, for a considerable 
time, for the Scriptural blessings of "the love of God," and 
of " the knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins,") 

4 



74 



LIFE OF tfENRY MOORE. 11S0-Ag6 2Q. 



stating his own experience of the nothingness of their 
penances, and of the willingness of Christ to save them. 
But a cry arose, that he was interrupting the penitents, — 
a high crime in the Romish Church, — -and the priests, with 
a number of the votaries of superstition, hastened to the 
place. He was obliged to fly to avoid ill-treatment, — even 
his life seemed in danger ; and he arrived at his home, a 
" new creature," happy in God ; but, through ignorance, 
utterly unfit to guide his steps in the "new and living way 
set before him." 

He looked upon his wife, as the apostle expresses it, 
" with the bowels of Jesus Christ ;" and began mightily to 
exhort her to turn to God, who for Christ's sake would give 
her the same happiness which he possessed. The poor 
woman answered only with tears ; and really feared that 
he was insane. His neighbors looked at him withAvonder 
and concern, not knowing what to make of the extraordinary 
change. At length, being still in some degree under the 
trammels of superstition, he thought of the place where 
God spoke peace to his soul, and declared his wife must 
go thither with him, and the Lord would make her happy 
there. Her lamentations availed not. Her pleading their 
two little ones only induced the reply, "They shall go to!" 
He yoked his horse to the car, carried the bed out, and 
placed the mother and her children on it, and set out on 
this extraordinary pilgrimage. Having arrived at the 
place, he brought the affrighted woman to the scene of his 
distress and deliverance, and earnestly exhorted her to 
call upon God for Christ's sake, and he would forgive her 
sins, and make her happy in his love. But the godly 
sorrow that had brought him, with strong cries and tears, 
to the throne of grace, had no place in the almost distracted 
heart of the woman ; on the contrary, the sorrow of this 
world almost overwhelmed her. After thus beating the air 
for some time, poor Bartle found there was no remedy ; 



1780-Age29. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



75 



and he must return, and betake himself to labor for his 
family, to gain " the bread that perisheth," and seek for 
himself " the bread that endureth to everlasting life." 

After some time he heard of a godly priest, to whom he 
related what the Lord had done for his soul. His confessor 
was exceedingly affected, and felt, in some degree, like 
Latimer, when Bilney confessed to him, while the poor 
man, in his simple but energetic manner, told him of the 
cure and the jewel, which were beyond all price. The 
poor confessor could only answer by his tears ; and, after 
a few visits, he acknowledged that he had experienced a 
similar work when he was a very young man ; but con- 
fessed on his part that he had lost the blessing, and had 
long walked in darkness. Campbell exhorted him to look 
for the cure, and be faithful with his flock, and tell them 
of the happiness that awaited them if they would turn to 
God. The priest was alarmed, and charged him not to 
speak a word to the people on that subject, for they could 
not bear it. " Father," cried out the happy man, " they 
will all go to hell, and you will go thither with them, if 
you hide the cure from them ! I will tell all that I come 
near of the blessedness ; and you will soon see what good 
will be done, — only do not oppose me." The priest 
reiterated his admonitions ; but Bartle departed fully 
determined to speak and labor for the Lord. 

Soon after the priest gave notice that he would celebrate 
mass in an old burial ground in the neighborhood, where 
there was only the ruins of a church, — no uncommon thing 
in Ireland. Campbell attended, and when the priest had 
concluded, he stepped up to him, and said, " Father, you 
are to christen a bairn (a child) in the village ; go, and 
leave the people to me. The dead souls you see are 
standing over the dead bodies ; and I hope the Lord will 
awaken the uppermost." " Take care what you do," said 
the intimidated priest ; " make no disturbance, I charge 



76 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1780-^29. 



you." He then departed ; and Bartle soon after began to 
lay before the staring multitude his own former miserable 
condition, and the efforts he had vainly made for deliver- 
ance. But when he came to speak from the fullness of his 
heart of the cure and the jewel ; how Christ had blotted 
out his sins, and given him to enjoy his love, so that, said 
he, " I am happy all the day long, and I no more fear to 
die than to go to sleep," — the effect was astonishing. A 
general and piercing cry arose. Almost the whole assembly 
fell upon their knees, while some lay prostrate, groaning 
with deep anguish. The cry was heard at the village, and 
the priest soon advanced at the head of several followers. 
He demanded of Campbell how he dared thus to disturb 
the flock, but was only answered by vehement entreaties 
not to hinder the work of God. " You rascal !" says the 
priest, " do you oppose the church ?" " No, father," he 
replied, "I have found the church." "You villain!" said 
the priest, " begone !" and struck him over the head with 
his horsewhip. Poor Bartle felt, as John Nelson said of 
old, " an old man's bone in him ;" and, hardly knowing 
what he did, he gave the priest a push, who falling over a 
grave, his heels flew up higher than his head. A general 
insurrection was the consequence, the people thinking he 
had knocked the priest down : all were eager to lay hands 
on the culprit. The lamentations for their sins gave place 
to fury; and poor Campbell was obliged to fly for his life. 
He escaped the vengeance of the infuriated multitude ; but 
his conscience, which was tender, received a fresh wound, 
and he went mourning all the day long, not knowing how 
to recover his happiness, till he almost lost all power. 
In this state he met with some of the Methodists, who 
understood his case, and encouraged him to come again 
to the " fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness." 
He was in this state of mind when I first met with 
him, as already related. He continued with the people, 



1780- Age 29. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



77 



fully recovered his peace, and afterward became very- 
useful. 

He had a strong understanding, and a great ardency of 
spirit ; and as he perfectly understood the Irish language, 
he became an instrument of great good to the poor people 
of the communion he had left. When I was stationed in 
Dublin, six years after this event, he walked from his 
distant dwelling, about one hundred English miles, to see 
me ; and I rejoiced for all the good that he had received 
from the Lord, and also for what he was enabled to do for 
his good Master. He gave me an account of the work in 
those parts near the place where he lived, I admired the 
grace of God which was in him, and was amused with 
some of his strong expressions. He could not be satisfied 
with any meeting where there were none convinced of 
sin, or enabled to rejoice in God as blotting out their sins. 
So it is that "the Lord still chooses the foolish of the 
world to confound the wise ; and base things, and things 
that are not, to bring to naught things that are, that no flesh 
may glory in his sight." I have not heard of him for 
several years ; but I trust to meet him among those 
" whose robes are washed and made white in the blood 
of the Lamb." 

I cannot conclude this account of my second circuit 
without mentioning two other instances of the goodness 
and power of God. The first was in the lower walk of 
life ; and the other more elevated and conspicuous. 

Stopping one day at a forge to have my horse shod, I 
entered into conversation with the smith, who was a plain 
man in his appearance, but of an acute and reflecting 
mind. I found also that in religion he was no novice ; 
and he soon found liberty to relate to me the Lord's 
dealings with him. " Sir," said he, « I belonged to that 
Presbyterian meeting on the side of yonder hill. Our 
minister was a rare man, and used to tell us all about 



78 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1780-Age 29. 



antichrist, and the whore of Babylon. He knew all about 
those things, and we thought we were a great people who 
were delivered from those abominations. I became very 
knowing, and could dispute about doctrines with any op- 
ponent; and if an Irishman (the term by which the Papists 
are distinguished in the north of Ireland) came into the 
forge, I was sure to be at him immediately about his 
church. While I was thus going on, a neighbor asked 
me if I would go to hear a man preach at a village about 
two miles off. I asked where he was to preach, for there 
was no meeting-house there. ' O,' said he, ' he is to preach 
in the mill.' I laughed at the notion of a man preaching 
in a mill ; but the oddity of the thing made me resolve to 
go. A great number of people were assembled, and the 
mill was well filled. The preacher stood upon a chair, 
and had a most solemn appearance. I said in my heart, 
This is a good man, and I felt myself affected by his 
presence. After singing a hymn, and praying, he gave 
out his text : ' If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, 
he is none of his.' Romans viii, 9. The words went 
through my heart; and I began, for the first time in my 
life, to fear that I was not a Christian : but before he had 
spoken a quarter of an hour, I knew I was not a Christian ; 
and before the end of the sermon I was convinced that I 
was a poor guilty creature that knew nothing as I ought 
to know ; that I had deceived myself all my life, and was 
in danger of eternal death. Here, sir," he continued, 
" began all my good. I attended the ministry of this good 
man while he remained in the country; and soon found 
that Christ came to save sinners : and now it is my constant 
desire to be a Christian altogether, and serve him who has 
done so much for me." 

I asked for the preacher's name, and was told in reply — 
John Manners. Mr. Wesley has mentioned him with 
honor in his Journal. He was not remarkable for what 



1780-Age 29. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



79 



is called talent, but he was a man of faith, and greatly- 
owned of God in the conversion of souls : he was a clear 
and forcible preacher of the plain but powerful doctrines 
of the gospel, and the very man to take the honest farrier 
off from all that barren information, (however needful in 
its place,) and prepare him for that gospel which "is the 
power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." 
He finished his course in a few years, and died, as he 
had lived, full of faith and love, and a witness that Jesus 
Christ " is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto 
God by him." 

The other instance was extraordinary : Newry, at that 
time, belonged to the Charlemount circuit, at which place 
I arrived on the Saturday evening; soon after, I came to the 
circuit, and was informed by our friends, Mr. and Mrs. 
Kennedy, that I must visit a gentlewoman as soon as I 
could make it convenient, who was supposed to be dying. 
They informed me further, that she had been ill a con- 
siderable time of a dropsical complaint, and had often 
expressed a wish to converse with our people, and espe- 
cially to be visited by our preachers ; but her husband had 
refused his consent, dreading the reproach that he thought 
would follow. He was a Socinian, and a man of some 
eminence in the town and in his congregation : but the 
hopeless case of a wife that he loved had at length moved 
him to comply with her wishes. " She expects you, sir, J ' 
said Mr. Kennedy, " and it will not do to wait till to- 
morrow." I accordingly went, and was introduced to a 
most interesting person, a young gentlewoman, whose 
every look seemed to say, " Who will show me any 
good ?" Her swelled appearance, with the emaciation of 
her still very beautiful countenance, proclaimed her case 
to be desperate ; and two most lovely children added to 
the afflictive scene. Her husband, a fine young man, 
hung over her with every appearance of strong affection ; 



80 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1780-Age 29. 



but I could perceive that there was a jealousy concerning 
me that was not comfortable. I spoke to the lady as to a 
dying person, and in a way that I supposed he would per- 
haps account enthusiastic. But I was encouraged to hope 
for the sufferer, as I found she was indeed "poor in 
spirit." We engaged in prayer ; but I think I never felt 
myself so embarrassed : I attempted to pray for her as a 
dying person, but could hardly utter a sentence without 
hesitation : my prayer had indeed no wings ; and the 
thought that the husband was watching over me, so greatly 
added to my embarrassment, that I thought I must give 
over. At length, however, the thought of her recovery 
came with strange force into my mind, and immediately 
words poured upon me faster than I could utter them. I 
felt that it was indeed " the prayer of faith," which, St. 
James says, " shall save the sick." I seemed to claim, in 
her behalf, a return to life at the Lord's hands. I at length 
concluded ; but was almost immediately tempted to think 
that I had given way to a delusion that would render me 
ridiculous, and do harm to unprepared minds. I took my 
leave ; the afflicted lady requesting that I would soon call 
again ; — and the husband, with an astonished countenance, 
was hardly able to utter even the common civilities usual 
at parting. 

On returning to my residence, I had some very painful 
thoughts ; fearing that the tender mind of the sufferer might 
be wounded, by the remarks that would probably be made 
in such a family upon my visionary conduct. The hope 
of her recovery seemed, however, to abide with me ; but 
I thought I would keep it to myself, and pray for her in 
the family as for a dying person. But it was in vain : 
the same strong influences set my prudence at defiance, 
and I was constrained to ask life for her as at her own 
habitation, to the great amazement of my pious host and 
his family. The same influence prevailed in all the 



1780-^e 29. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



61 



ministrations of the following day, particularly in the class, 
which was always met by the preacher in the afternoon 
of the Lord's day. In the evening, after the services were 
over, I again visited my patient, and again amazed all who 
were assembled by the strange confidence and importunity 
of my faith. I took leave of her, however, with a strong 
exhortation to fix her mind on the divine atonement, and 
to aim at conformity to the Son of God in his prayer to the 
Father, — " Not my will, but thine be done !" 

I returned, in my course, at the end of six weeks, and 
found my very amiable sufferer in a state rather beyond 
convalescence, and a member of the society ! The hus- 
band had dismissed all opposition : he received me with 
joy, and expressed his thankfulness in strong terms. He 
would have me to dine with him, and I made one of a 
very happy family : in the afternoon I met my recovering 
patient in the class, and alive to the things which make 
for our peace. She seemed to enjoy her privilege in the 
garret where we met ; and where we preached also, when 
the weather would not permit us to assemble at the market- 
house, the usual station. She made swift progress, and 
soon rejoiced in " redemption through His blood, the for- 
giveness of her sins." Her countenance also assumed its 
former appearance, except that a delicacy remained which 
showed that the stamina was still weak. But exercise 
soon made a change in this respect, for on my going toward 
Newry at my next visit, I met her riding behind her 
servant, with the appearance of increased strength. She 
attended the religious services of the Lord's day, and 
seemed to enjoy them ; but I thought I perceived that her 
husband, though still polite and thankful, had not the satis- 
faction in her being a member of the poor society, and 
assembling with them in the garret, as he seemed at first 
to have. I had a painful feeling on her account, but I 
knew the Lord was all-sufficient. 

4* 



82 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1181-Age 30. 



Near the close of the year, I brought my dear partner 
with me to Newry, thinking that her appearance might be 
a comfort to her, and perhaps remove something of the 
reproach of Methodism from the minds of the family ; but 
to our surprise we found her in a fever, from which danger 
was justly apprehended. My heart sunk within me : I had 
no hope of her life : on the contrary, every thought had 
death in it. We visited her as often as we could, and she 
seemed delighted with my dear partner, her sister in 
Christ. But we could only preach the abandonment, (so 
called by some spiritual writers,) the giving up herself to 
God absolutely; and it was not in vain. She seemed 
dead to all below, and rested only in Christ. We took 
leave of her, haAdng no hope of seeing her again in this 
world, and she soon obtained the object of her hope. I 
freely gave her up : the Lord, who knew the tenderness 
of her spirit, took her away from the evil to come. In my 
course of labor I have had several instances of the same 
kind of gracious interposition ; but none, I think, so re- 
markable. 

The time of our departure arrived ; and I was appointed 
to the Lisburn circuit, with Mr. Rutherford, who had 
married the beloved sister of my wife. It was comfort- 
able for the sisters to be together when we were abroad 
on the circuit. There were many persons in Lisburn, and 
other places, that were truly devoted ; and all the people 
walked in the fear of God : our chapels were well attended, 
and there were but few Romanists in those parts ; so that 
we had a fair prospect of being useful. Here I became 
acquainted with that most devoted woman, Mrs. Henrietta 
Gayer, whom Mr. Wesley mentions in his Journal, and at 
whose house he was most kindly entertained during his 
dangerous illness, in the year 1775. She received her 
first awakenings in the Established Church, and was most 
painfully convinced of sin ; but according to the doctrine 



mi-Age 30. 



• 

LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



83 



of that day, she went about, as many sincere persons do, 
to establish her own righteousness, as the ground of her 
acceptance with God, being ignorant of the real doctrine 
of the church and the Scriptures,—" the righteousness 
which is of God by faith." She attended every service of 
the church, visited the sick, relieved the poor, fasted, 
prayed, and thus followed after holiness, thinking it would 
come of course after such a number of good works. In- 
stead of this, painful self-knowledge came, and " the 
motions of sin which were by the law " brought her under 
great condemnation : she was tempted against the Lord, 
that he had no respect to her labors and efforts, and that 
it was a vain thing to serve him. 

She was thus in danger of giving up all hope, when the 
Lord, whom she darkly served, sent her help ; a Mr. 
Crumlin, surgeon to a regiment of dragoons, (commonly 
called Dr. Crumlin,) then stationed in the neighborhood, 
visited Mr. Gayer about some ordinary business. He was 
a lively and very zealous Methodist ; and, to Mrs. Gayer's 
amazement, he introduced the subject of religion as soon 
as he dispatched his business with Mr. Gayer. She was 
surprised to hear a gentleman, and especially an officer 
of the army, speak of religion ; and being won by his 
conversation, she made known her state to him. He was 
as well acquainted with the cure as poor Campbell was, 
and more fitted to make it known to persons of education. 
He showed her " the new and living way ;" explained to 
her the evils of her nature, not to be cured by creaturely 
means ; he pressed the atonement of the Son of God as 
her refuge from all guilt, and a new birth as the glorious 
means of victory over a fallen nature. Mrs. Gayer listened 
and believed, and heaven soon sprung up in her heart : 
" the Spirit witnessed that she was accepted through the 
Beloved, and the love of God was shed abroad in her 
heart by the Holy Ghost given to her." 



84 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1781-Age 30. 



From that time, through a long life, and even to the day 
of her death, she continued to walk with God : her zeal 
was remarkable, and might be thought excessive ; but it 
was truly the flame of love. She joined the society, by 
Mr. Crumlin's earnest recommendation, and was abundant 
in good works, and eminent for self-denial. I never was 
acquainted with a person more dead to the world ; she did 
not even wish her children (remarkably fine in their per- 
sons) to possess it ; and I am certain, from all that I 
observed in her, that she would have rejoiced to see them 
all, like the Redeemer, " despised and rejected of men ;" 
or like the primitive Christians, " accounted the filth of 
the world, and the offs coming of all things ;" so that it 
were a consequence of their walking with God : and her 
zeal was not unfruitful, for she was the instrument of 
bringing many souls to God, and of provoking those who 
were religious more abundantly to love and to good 
works. The late Mrs. Agnes Smyth, wife of the Reverend 
Edward Smyth, already mentioned, was her niece, and 
was brought to that entire devotedness for which her 
praise has been, and still is, in all the real churches of the 
Redeemer in these kingdoms, chiefly by her instrument- 
ality. It was wonderful to see a young and most beautiful 
woman, surrounded with everything that nature loves, and 
which 

" With pleasing force on earth detain, 
And sensualize the soul," 

so entirely devoted, — so dead to all that is in the world ! 
Her course was short, but brilliant, in the best and most 
glorious sense of the word. She died in the full triumph 
of faith, in London, in the year 1783. Her pious aunt 
outlived her many years. 

A contrast to this pure religion presented itself in the 
course of the year. Downpatrick, the second place on the 
circuit, had been famous for many years on account of a 



mi-rAge 30. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



85 



Romish station, or place of penance and expiation, in its 
neighborhood, called Strule. Tradition had greatly swelled 
its importance, by sounding it forth as the head-quarters 
of St. Patrick. There are seven wells on the side of the 
mountain, and places of penance are contiguous to each, 
so that ablutions take place at the conclusion of each act 
of penance : some are obliged to take the whole round, as 
I have heard, so that their penance is of the severest kind. 
When the anniversary was celebrated, I was at Down- 
patrick, where a great multitude of Romanists assembled 
from various parts of the kingdom, on the Sunday preced- 
ing : my spirit was stirred within me, when I beheld the 
infatuated multitude who loitered about the town when 
their mass was over; and I went out to the walks near 
to the cathedral, and standing on an eminence, I gave out 
a hymn. Immediately they flocked together from every 
part, and I cried to them from the words of the prophet, 
" He hath showed thee, O man, what is good ; and what 
doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love 
mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God V Micah vi, 8. 
After showing what it was to have the Lord for our God, 
and the high privilege and duty of walking humbly with 
him, as being reconciled to Christ, I showed them what 
he, required. I then described the hard service to which 
they were subjecting themselves; and asked them if they 
thought, or could think, that he required it at their hands, 
or that any real good could follow it. I denied that he 
required it ; and challenged any person who believed he 
did, to show me where. None replied, and they continued 
to hear with earnest attention to the conclusion. I hoped, 
that what they heard might weaken their faith in the impo- 
sition of men. Our hostess informed me, that, the year 
before, a lady from Dublin, who came thither to perform 
her penance, lodged at her house. She complained, on 
her return from Strule, of her wounds and bruises ; and 



86 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1781-Age 30. 



declared, alas ! with an oath, that she would never perform 
it again : she would have a substitute if it should cost her 
twenty guineas ! 

While I was on this circuit, I was in the most imminent 
danger of death. Being at Downpatrick, I had to visit a 
small village, about three miles from that town, on the week 
day. A large marsh, or morass, was in my way ; impas- 
sable except in summer, and even then only in a very dry 
season. It cut short my journey nearly a mile ; I there- 
fore ventured, for the first time, to take the path which led 
across this dangerous place, and succeeded very well. 
Returning at nearly nine o'clock, I thought, after some 
consideration, that I would again venture, though the dark- 
ness was coming on. There were many paths which 
intersected each other ; and as I could not then see the 
surrounding country, I took once the wrong turn ; but soon 
found my mistake, as I got over shoes in the mud, which 
now assailed me on every side. I strove to remedy my 
mistake by repeated turnings ; but as they were taken 
chiefly by memory, the darkness coming on fast, I soon 
got involved in water and mire, nearly as high as my 
knees. At almost every step I sunk deeper, and dislodged 
some of the water fowls which were crying all around me. 
I was soon obliged to leap from one tuft of reeds to another, 
and came at length to large trenches, which were dug 
throughout the deepest parts to drain the water off. I 
stopped on one of the tufts which I had gained, after the 
utmost exertion, and considered my situation. Death 
seemed to threaten me on all sides, and no human help 
was near. I cried to the Lord, who, I knew, heard prayer, 
and who I believed would hear me. After which, looking 
round in every direction, I thought I saw a white building 
which I had noticed on the road-side, as I passed in the 
afternoon : it was the only thing of which I had even a 
a dim view. I thought, I will make straight to that build- 



1782-^31. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



87 



ing, through every impediment. After again commending 
myself to God, I commenced my desperate journey, — leap- 
ing, and wading, sometimes nearly to my middle ; and 
often tempted to despair. I found, however, that I 
came nearer to the object of my hope ; and the Lord 
brought me to return thanks on the high road, immediately 
opposite the white-washed beacon of my deliverance. I 
arrived at home between ten and eleven o'clock, and found 
my wife in an agony of prayer on my account ; having had 
an impression, for the greater part of the evening, that I 
was in some imminent danger, which the late hour con- 
firmed. When she saw the state of my clothes, and heard 
me relate the occurrence, we united in singing " our great 
Deliverer's praise." 

In the month of July I attended the conference in 
Dublin, and was appointed to Londonderry a second time. 
We accordingly left Lisburn, and arrived in Coleraine. I 
had experienced some extraordinary instances of the power 
and goodness of God to my soul on my late circuit. Very 
great freedom of spirit was given to me ; and I seemed at 
times so raised above all outward things, that nothing was 
a trial to me. 

After some time, I was attacked with an acute rheuma- 
tism, which, in the process, seemed to settle in my head : 
the pain was dreadful ; but the consolations of God so 
abounded, that I not only could bear it, but I dared not even 
to wish for its removal, lest my joy in the Lord should be 
lessened ; and I well remember that I thought I could be 
content to suffer thus, even my whole life, if the most gra- 
cious Lord would continue the consolation. When I 
afterward read Mr. Wesley's Plain Account of Christian 
Perfection, I well understood what he says about these 
extraordinary visitations. He observes, that sometimes 
the believer may be so strengthened, as not to desire ease 
in pain ; or to wish that any temptation should be removed, 



S8 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1782- Age 31. 



as being a trouble to him. But he adds, that this high de- 
gree of victory is only for a time ; and that invariable love 
to God and man is the constant privilege, and the surest 
mark, of the state. 

Soon after our arrival at Coleraine, I seemed to be again 
thus graciously visited. I walked in such liberty, that it 
seemed heaven begun below. I knew not then the dis- 
tinction that Mr. Wesley makes ; and used every effort and 
every means, in order to the continuance of that power. 
Finding it began to subside, I used fasting and prayer till 
I was reduced to great weakness of body, hoping that it 
might be graciously continued. I was at length obliged 
to give up this high privilege, and be content to follow the 
Lord according to his will, either to the garden or the 
cross ; and if indulged with a visit to Tabor, there to enjoy 
an anticipation of the heavenly state, to be thankful ; and 
willingly to come down from the mount, knowing that my 
Master would come down with me ; and that he has 
promised " never to leave me." 

My time of visiting Londonderry arrived : we removed 
to that city, and were most kindly received by the people, 
and especially by Mr. Knox, his excellent mother and 
family. After staying there some time I was called to 
Dublin, to settle some family affairs in which my mother 
was involved ; and a preacher took my place at Coleraine. 
Mr. Wesley arrived soon after ; and at a conference, held 
in that city, I was appointed for Cork, having for my col- 
leagues, the late Rev. Andrew Blair and the late Rev. 
Laurence Kane. While I continued in Dublin, I had fre- 
quent opportunities of being with Mr. Wesley, whose 
kindness continually increased toward me. I had also the 
great privilege of hearing him preach almost every day ; 
and learned more in that time concerning the apostle's 
direction to Timothy, about " rightly dividing the word of 
truth," than in all my former studies. 



1782-Age 31. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



89 



In Cork my reception was very encouraging; and a 
door was opened to me of great usefulness. I obtained 
much popularity, in the best sense of the word, on that 
circuit. The Lord greatly blessed the word, and a con- 
siderable number of the members of the society were much 
stirred up to seek the full salvation of God. A remarkable 
event occurred soon after my coming to the circuit. The 
circuit extended from Cork to Youghall on one side ; and 
to Bandon, Skibbereen, and Dunmanway on the other. 
At the latter place we had a good prospect : a large room, 
which had been a workshop, had been procured, which 
was well rilled with serious hearers ; and a considerable 
number had been united in society, who seemed earnestly 
desirous to experience all which the gospel declares to be 
our privilege. 

The whole town was subject to one landlord, Sir R 

C , a young man of the most profligate habits. He 

had appeared to be much displeased with the change which 
had taken place in the town, and with the preacher who had 
instrumentally caused it ; and he had frequently threat- 
ened that he would stop such proceedings. A good man 
observed, " He may certainly do so, if God permit, for no 
man here can resist him ; he is greater in Dunmanway 
than King George himself." He at length resolved that 
he would throw the next preacher that came into the lake 
which fronted his mansion. When the time of my going 
thither came, I found the Lord had most awfully prevented 
the execution of his purpose. He had himself been thrown 
into it the evening before, where he perished miserably. 
His body was recovered after several hours' search ; and 
when I rode into the town, the corpse lay at a public- 
house, waiting for the coroner's inquest. I went thither 
to look at the body — it was a dreadful spectacle. He was 
a tall, athletic young man, about twenty-two years of age. 
The body was much swollen by the water, and his coun- 



90 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



17S3- Age 32. 



tenance dreadfully disfigured. He was interrred the 
following evening. 

In the interim I received the following information re- 
specting his way of life, and his melancholy end ; every 
particular of which was much noticed by all the people in 
the town who feared God. 

He had entered into the army at an early age ; but, after 
offending many by his excesses, he was ultimately obliged 
to leave the regiment, in consequence of having challenged 
his commanding officer. He then, at about the age of 
nineteen, married a most amiable young lady, by whom he 
had a daughter who survived him. This lady, however, 
was obliged to leave him on account of his profligacy. A 
short time before his awful demise, his mother, the dowa- 

ager lady C , sent for him, and after striving to make 

him sensible of what the end must be, if he continued his 
dangerous course, she proposed that he should take his 
lady and daughter home, and return to sober habits ; in 
which CctSGj ELS he was much in debt, she would resign her 
jointure, £500 a year, to him; she having a considerable 
independent fortune. This he refused, and returned to 
Dunmanway the day before his awful death. 

Living by himself at the mansion house, and being at a 
loss for some amusement on the Lord's day, he determined 
to have an aquatic excursion on the lake. One of the oars 
of his boat, however, had been broken ; but this could not 
stop him : timber was procured, and a piece sawed from 
it in the church-yard, (where the only saw-pit was sit- 
uated,) and the oar was thus made during divine service, 
in the forenoon. In the afternoon he embarked with a 
young gentleman, one of his companions, and after sailing 
for some time, he resolved to know in how short a time 
he could make the circuit of the lake. The rowers struck 
off, and he remained for some time beholding them, with 



1783-Age 32. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



9 J 



his watch in his hand. The slowness of their motions 
offended him ; and, after many oaths and execrations, he 
pulled one of them from the bench, and sat down himself, 
saying, he would " show them how*to row." He dipped 
the oars in too deep, and making a violent pull, the new- 
made oar snapped like a twig, and Sir R was preci- 
pitated backward into the lake. There were above three 
hundred people soon collected on the shore, and every 
effort was made to save him — but in vain ! The body was 
not recovered till early on Monday morning, and in that 
dreadful state I beheld him soon after I entered the town 
in the afternoon. The funeral passed, on the second 
evening, close by the place where I was preaching : I 
watched to see if any of my hearers would go out to look 
at it, and attend it, (a thing very common in Ireland,) but 
not one person stirred. Thus ended the short, but awfully- 
eventful, life of Sir R C . The next heir was 

then in the West Indies. 

The work of the Lord received strength by a serious 
consideration of the end of this unhappy young man, who 
might, if he had sought wisdom from above, have been a 
blessing to many. All opposition was at an end, and " the 
word of the Lord had free course, and was glorified" in the 
conversion of many souls. 

The remainder of the year was one of the happiest I 
ever experienced in the work ; believers were truly built 
up on their most holy faith, while my colleagues were 
much owned of the Lord in the awakening of many souls. 
In the book-room, kept by that holy man Mr. James Ward, 
I found what was indeed a treasure to me, — Mr. Wesley's 
Works, in thirty-two volumes. These I read, or rather 
devoured, one by one, and chiefly on horseback : every 
sentence of them seemed spirit and life to my soul ; and I 
am persuaded, that this year's study was more to me than 



92 LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1183-Age 32. 

many years would be under the ablest masters, who had 
not so abundantly tasted of the powers of the world to 
come as this man of God had. 

The Lord gave us*all the desire to be zealous for him : 
we made excursions into the neighboring counties, and 
preached in new places whenever we had a vacant day. 
On one of these occasions, I visited Capoquin, in the county 
of Waterford. I had heard that there was a detachment 
of dragoons in the barrack there, in which there was a 
Methodist class. I wrote to the quarter-master, who I 
had heard was a member, and informed him of my coming ; 
and accordingly I was met about a quarter of a mile from 
the town by a friend who was sent to conduct me. Although 
strangers, we soon recognized each other, and my con- 
ductor observed, "I am afraid, sir, you will not be able to 
do any good in this town : the people are mostly Romanists, 
and very wicked ; and the Protestants are very little better." 
I answered, " Are they worse than dead in sin V He looked 
at me for some time, and at length replied, " Perhaps not." 
I then added, " If they are no worse, we know One that 
can undertake for that." My companion brightened up; 
and when he had seen me safe at my quarters, he cheer- 
fully departed to publish through the town for my preaching 
in the evening. I had a large congregation of sinners of 
all kinds, and of different professions, but the chief of 
them Romanists. The commanding officer, (a most amiable 
young gentleman, with whom, by invitation, I breakfasted 
the next morning,) with all the soldiers who were not on 
duty, attended. I preached from, " Hear ye therefore the 
parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word 
of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the 
wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in 
his heart. This is he which received seed by the way 
side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the 
same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy 



1783-^32. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



93 



receiveth it : yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth 
for a while ; for when tribulation or persecution ariseth 
because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also 
that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the 
word ; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of 
riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But 
he that received seed into the good ground is he that 
heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth 
fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, 
some thirty." Matt, xiii, 18-23. The following morning I 
preached from, " There is joy in the presence of the angels 
of God over one sinner that repenteth." Luke xv, 10. I 
then departed, having published that I should be there 
again on a certain day. 

When the time arrived, I was met by my friend at the 
usual place, who, with a rather disconsolate air, accosted 
me with, " 0 Mr. Moore, I have bad news for you ! The 
priest has been here, and when he heard of you he preached 
for the first time these twelve months, and has warned all 
his people not to hear you." I felt a curiosity to know 
something about his sermon, and my friend continued : 
" He took for his text these words, ' And when the thou- 
sand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his 
prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations.' " Rev. 
xx, 7. He then addressed his audience thus: "Now, you 
brute beasts, you ought to be the greatest people in the 
world, as you are the only church ; and yet you are nothing 
but beasts : you think the church knows nothing of these 
men who are going about preaching, because you do not 
know them. But you see here they are ! The church 
knows all about them. I will read the passage again to 
you :" which he did, and thus continued : " Now, you 
beasts, who are running after these servants of the devil, 
when I come round again I shall know how to deal with 
you. I will put out the candle upon every one of you." 



94 



LIFE OP HENRY MOORE. 



1784-4^33. 



After this luminous exhortation, it might be expected that 
I should have but a few out of this great mass, who had 
courage to resist the brutum fulmen. 

I expected to stay another year at Cork, and the people 
most earnestly desired it, but Mr. Wesley would not have 
it so. He informed me that I must prepare to come to 
England. I was thus torn from a people where I had as 
much of the true honor of the gospel, considering the short 
time that we knew each other, as in any place where I 
have labored even to this day. They loved the whole 
gospel, and I was enabled to preach it to them, according 
to — " And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call 
his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their 
sins." Matt, i, 21. 

I attended the conference in Dublin ; and from thence, 
to the grief of my mother, (who nevertheless bore the 
separation like a Christian,) took my departure for England, 
in company with my dear friend Mr. Rutherford, and his 
family ; and met Mr. Wesley at Leeds, where the confer- 
ence assembled, and I was appointed for London. As my 
modest and tender partner dreaded the appointment to the 
metropolis, which I also feared, I entreated Mr. Wesley to 
appoint me to some other place, but he would not hear of 
it. When I at length desired to have his advice and direc- 
tions how to proceed, he only replied, " Take care of the 
select band." 

We remained in London two years. Mr. Charles Wesley 
still lived and labored a little, generally once on the Lord's 
day. There were three other clergymen who read prayers, 
and administered the sacrament at the different chapels ; 
and one itinerant preacher, the late Rev. Thomas Tenant, 
who lived with us in the chapel-house in the City-Road. 
The whole of London, with upward of twenty miles about 
it, then composed the London circuit ; yet I had no more 
help than these. The local preachers labored faithfully ; 



VMS-Age 34. 



LIFE OP HENRY MOORE, 



95 



and at the end of two years I found that the Lord was 
better to us than all our fears. We departed, blessed with 
the love and prayers of the people, at that time considered 
the most intelligent and pious of any in the whole con- 
nection. 

Some time previous to the year 1785, Dr. Coke had been 
sent by Mr. Wesley to America : and on his return he 
requested me with much earnestness to consent to go 
thither and undertake that vast missionary work, as the 
third superintendent; assuring me that Mr. Asbury also 
very much wished it, as he was not willing, for many 
weighty reasons, that any of his American fellow-laborers 
should be chosen to that office at that time ; and the work 
was too great for himself alone, Dr. Coke being neces- 
sarily absent so frequently, and for so long a time. As I 
had always preferred the missionary work, I dared not 
refuse ; and on consulting my wife she also consented, 
although she dreaded the new and distant scene, and the 
great increase of labor which would devolve upon me. 
The doctor then informed Mr. Wesley of the proposal, 
and stated that I had consented ; but the reply was a 
most prompt and absolute refusal. I felt a good deal on 
the subject, as even Brainard's lot was more desirable to 
me than the sphere which I filled. But Mr. Wesley con- 
firmed in private what he had before declared, and I once 
more settled down as his assistant. 

Mr. Wesley had never treated me merely as his assistant 
in the work ; his spirit and conduct had a kindness, with 
such an appearance of friendship, notwithstanding the 
disparity of years, as sometimes surprised me, and I often 
thought of the couplet in Parnell's Hermit : — 
"Thus stands an aged elm with ivy bound, 
Thus youthful ivy clasps an elm around." 

But from this time, especially, he seemed to wish to do 
nothing without me : we were seldom asunder. He ex- 



96 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1785-4^34. 



pected me in his study at five o'clock every morning ; (he 
constantly rose at four :) I read all his letters to him, and 
answered many of them ; he invariably declining to look 
at my answers. In many respects I was useful to him, for 
he had very much forgotten his French, which was still 
fresh with me, and he received many French letters. I 
traveled with him in what might be called his home circuit, 
the counties of Norfolk, Kent, Oxford, and other parts, 
during the winter, and was never absent from him in those 
excursions, night or day. He had always books with him 
in the carriage, and used sometimes to read his own 
excerpta of the classics to me. During those years 
several remarkable events took place in the connection, — 
the deed of declaration, and the new system for America : 
the employment of Dr. Coke in the missionary work also, 
which was continually enlarging, but the details of which 
always came before Mr. Wesley, and took up my time 
very much. 

Mr. Charles Wesley also treated me with a most fatherly 
spirit, which surprised me the more as there was almost 
continual disputes between the brothers respecting these 
things, in which, at Mr. Wesley's particular desire, I was 
generally present ; and yet Mr. Charles Wesley never 
showed any difference in his behavior toward me. He 
seemed much to wish that I might be ordained in the 
church, as he seemed certain that after his brother's death 
there would be a great change ; but I took no notice of this, 
except to be grateful for the kindness which prompted 
such a proposal. I was certain of my present call ; and 
of what such a change might produce there could be no 
certainty. I have had many thoughts on this subject since 
that time, which continued occasionally with me for many 
years : sometimes it has seemed as if I had lost my way, 
but I know I am still in the way of the Lord ; whether 
the other would have been in the issue, in case I had 



m6^Age35. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE, 



97 



obtained orders, the more excellent way, only eternity can 
now explain. Mr. Wesley seemed, however, to determine 
the matter by ordaining me himself, in conjunction with 
two other presbyters of the Church of England, Messrs. 
Creighton and Dickenson. This I have always considered 
as a real and great privilege ; and it has fully satisfied my 
mind respecting the ordinances. I certainly never could 
have acted in that way comfortably without that sacred 
sanction. 

We traveled with Mr. Wesley to Bristol, where the 
conference was to be held in 1786 ; and I was appointed 
to labor in that city and circuit : but before the conclusion 
of the conference, our station was changed to Dublin, at 
the earnest request of my mother, who was painfully 
exercised by some ungodly relatives who were striving 
to deprive her of part of her property. We accordingly 
went to Dublin, where we were most affectionately re- 
ceived, and we continued there two years, during which 
time, by the divine direction, I was enabled to defeat the 
designs of those persons, and to reinstate my honored 
parent in the full possession of her property. 

A few months after my arrival in Dublin a trial of a 
particular kind was presented to me. A physician, who 
was born and educated a Quaker, but who had renounced 
that form of religion, became a constant hearer at our 
chapels, and was intimate with many of our people. He 
seemed to be much attached to me, and we often conversed 
together about the work of the Lord with the greatest 
freedom. He pressed me at times to go with him to the 
university, and hear the lectures that were delivered there 
on anatomy, chemistry, and the practice of physic. One 
evening we met at a friend's house at tea, when the doctor 
said something about an inflammatory fever that afflicted 
some of his patients. I put him in remembrance that that 
was the subject of one of the lectures which we had lately 

5 



98 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



118G-Age 35. 



heard, and he wished me to 3tate what I remembered of the 
subject I then repeated the whole lecture ; at which he 
expressed great surprise, but did not continue the subject 
at that time. 

The next morning he called upon me, and renewed the 
subject of the previous evening's conversation. After making 
many remarks, he proposed that I should study physic, 
and said that he had thought of a plan whereby I might 
do so without any inconvenience. " You will be here," 
said he, " two years : you shall attend all the lectures 
with me, and I will help you all in my power, and Avill 
lend you books on the subject. You may then request 
Mr. Wesley to appoint you for Edinburgh, where you will 
pursue the same course ; and when your two years there 
are expired, you will most certainly get a diploma, and be 
a better physician than nine out of ten of those who have 
the reputation of it." 

I listened to the doctor, then observed that he had for- 
gotten one thing ; and said, " I have no more doubt, doctor, 
that I am called of God to preach the gospel than I have 
of my own existence ; but how will your plan agree with 
this ?" " Very well," he replied : " you may preach as 
you do now, and you will be more attended to, and do 
more good. You will avoid the fatigues of the circuits, 
and the pain of continual change. Neither your health 
nor Mrs. Moore's is equal to these things." He concluded 
with a very positive declaration, that he had no doubt but 
that it was the line which I ought to pursue, and that only 
blessings would follow. 

I at length consented to think of the proposal ; and for 
several days the speculation seemed both pleasing and 
reasonable ; especially when I considered what the doctor 
had said about the health of my dear partner and myself. 
He followed up the proposal by bringing a number of books 
with which I was to begin my course of study. But soon 



I187-Age36. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



99 



after I commenced reading, I found that I understood better 
what our Lord meant by that declaration, the desire of 
other things entering in, " choke the word, and he be- 
cometh unfruitful," than ever I did in my life before. I 
no longer breathed out my soul to the Lord, for I was 
embarrassed in my duties, and began to be in heaviness : 
I observed also that I must painfully study my sermons, 
or I could not preach ; and even then I entered the pulpit 
with such a weight on my mind, that I had no clearness 
in treating my subject, nor any comfort in the duty. I re- 
solved to renounce at once the whole business, and never 
think of it more. I informed the doctor, at his next visit, 
of my resolution : he was surprised, and seemed really 
concerned for me. I saw his kindness, and listened to 
his expostulations something in the way of an honest man 
who said, " I love to hear reason when I am determined, 
for then it can do no harm." I kept my purpose, and sent 
away my friendly monitor in despair of my compliance. 
He, however, continued to us his kind attentions while we 
remained, and we parted with mutual regret. 

In the beginning of the following summer, I became 
sensible that much good could not be expected in Dublin 
while we confined ourselves to the preaching-houses. I 
recollected my feelings for the inhabitants at large, before 
I was united to any people ; and I resolved to try what 
could be done by preaching abroad. Several of our prin- 
cipal friends strove to dissuade me from my purpose ; but 
I thought I must try, and I knew that there was a goodly 
number, especially of young men, who would assist me in 
the effort. Accordingly I went on the Sunday afternoon 
into Lower Abbey-street, where we have now one of our 
principal chapels ; and borrowing a chair, I stood upon it 
and gave out a hymn. An immense multitude soon assem- 
bled, running from all quarters and crying out, " What is 
the matter?" They surrounded me and my little flock; 



100 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1787-Age 36. 



and their curiosity kept them quiet for some time. I soon 
perceived that the most part were Romanists, by their 
bowing and courtesying at the name of Jesus in the hymn. 
During prayer, several of them kneeled down on the stones, 
and when I had concluded, as usual, with the Lord's 
prayer, a woman cried out, " Where is Hail Mary ?" This 
seemed to produce some uneasiness ; but I continued to 
read my text, and she departed in high displeasure. The 
assembly soon became again quiet, and began to listen 
with eager attention ; when another woman came forward, 
and with uplifted hands cried out, " Lord, have mercy upon 
us ! Christ save us ! O is it come to this ?" She then 
addressed all who were near her, exclaiming, " I know 
all about him : I knew his father and his mother ! O it is 
well his father is dead ! — what would he say to this ?" She 
then began, to appearance in a most feeling manner, to 
relate particulars. The general impression soon was, as 
of old, that I was beside myself. My congregation were 
quickly divided, part of them listening to her and part to 
me. Some became boisterous, and strove to get near to 
pull me down. The little flock that surrounded me, how- 
ever, continued firm, till one fellow forced through them, 
and then attempted to overthrow the chair on which I 
stood. This was held fast on one side by my wife, and 
on the other by a young lady much attached to her. I 
was sorry for this for a moment, but I quickly found that 
it worked for good : the fellow dared not to meddle with 
them ; if he had, he would soon have had the whole assem- 
bly upon him, — such is the Irish feeling generally respect- 
ing females. I continued to preach, but attention was 
divided, and nearly lost. After some time, hard clods of 
dirt were thrown in all directions, followed by a shower 
of eggs which were unfit for use. Nothing, however, was 
suffered to hit me : my praying guards were steadfast. I 



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LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



101 



saw a blessed young man who stood close to me, listening 
with his eyes shut, struck by an egg which sadly be- 
smeared him ; but he wiped his face, and took no further 
notice of it. I at. length concluded, with an appeal to my 
congregation, which seemed to have some effect, so that 
I retired home unmolested. A drunken sailor immediately 
stepped on the chair, (we were near the river,) and began 
singing a song. The multitude shouted ; and when the 
song was concluded, he begaH to preach in his way. Alas ! 
I had soon to lament over him ! — When he had amused 
himself and his auditors for a considerable time, he at- 
tempted to pass from the quay to his ship, but slipping 
from the plank, notwithstanding all the exertions made to 
£ave him, he found a watery grave ! 

Since that time, I have often reflected on my zeal while 
I was unconnected with any religious people ; and upon 
what might have been the consequence, if the Lord had 
not prevented its immature exertion in the way I have 
already related. Our preaching was continued in that 
neighborhood, where it has had great success. 

When my time drew near that I must leave Dublin, 
and as the conference was to be held in London, I wrote 
to Mr. Wesley to know if I should bring my wife with me ; 
for I thought it probable that I might be again appointed 
for Cork, from which place I had been taken away at the 
end of one year. He immediately replied by the following 
very characteristic letter : — 

London, July 16, 1788. 
Dear Henry, — Take your choice. Either let my dear 
Nancy Moore come with you hither, or follow you to 
Bristol. If not here, I would fain see her there, because 
I expect to finish my course within a year, probably either 
here or there ; and to have her with me at the close, 



102 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1789-J.^e 38. 



would be one of the greatest comforts I could have, next 
to the favor and presence of God. 

Meantime, I am, my own Henry, 

Your ever affectionate, 

John Wesley. 

Our departure from Dublin was a great trial to my dear 
mother, but she again bore it well. We lost no time ; but 
traveling then was not so expeditious as it is now, so that 
we did not arrive in London till the preachers had assem- 
bled ; and from them I first heard that I was appointed, 
not for Bristol as I had expected, but for London, which 
Mr. Wesley confirmed to me in private. We spent two 
comfortable, but very laborious years in the metropolis ; 
and the work prospered much in several places. 

Mr. Charles Wesley had died on the 29th day of March, 
1788 ; and his death had stirred up many to examine 
afresh the foundation on which they stood, and to pray for 
the stability and continuance of the work. They were 
afresh roused to remember that awful question, " Your 
fathers, where are they 1 and the prophets, do they live 
for ever ?" They were sensible that the question would 
soon be painfully put to them ; and they felt the need of 
crying to the Strong for strength. All these thoughts and 
feelings tended to good; and the work seemed to revive. 
Mr. Wesley, in the mean time, held on his way without 
making the smallest change ; while his love abounded 
more and more to the people and to us. 

In the month of July, 1789, Mr. Adam Clarke returned 
from the Norman Isles, where his health had been se- 
riously impaired by excess of labor ; and which was so 
little improved by the toils he endured during the following 
year, spent in Bristol, that Mr. Wesley told the society 
there, after the conference, that " he believed they would 
soon lose their assistant." Mr. Wesley's solicitude on 



1790-^e 39. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



103 



this subject is seen in the following letter written to his 
confidential friend, Mr. Moore : — 

Dumfries, June 1, 1790. 
My Dear Henry, — So I am upon the borders of Eng- 
land once again. My sight is much as it was, but I doubt 
I shall not recover my strength till I use that noble medi- 
cine, preaching in the morning. But where can we put 
poor Adam Clarke ? He must not preach himself to death, 
and what circuit is he equal to — where he can have rest 
as well as labor ? 

The best place I can think of at present is Leeds. The 
dying words of the prince of Orange are much upon my 
mind this morning : " Lord, have mercy upon the people." 

I never saw so much likelihood of doing good in Scot- 
land as there is now, if all our preachers here would be 
Methodists indeed ! Tell your dear Nancy to love me as 
well as she can. 

I am, my dear Henry, 

Your affectionate friend and brother, 

J. Wesley. 

Mr. Clarke was not appointed to Leeds ; Mr. Wesley 
afterward consented to his being stationed in Dublin, 
when Mr. Clarke had signified his approval. 

My next appointment was for Bristol. The people in 
that city had the reputation of being the second society in 
the connection for deep and solid piety. Mr. Wesley spent 
almost as much time there as in London : accordingly, he 
was much with us in the autumn of 1790, and we expected 
him the latter end of February the following year. But 
sad intelligence of his illness clouded our expectation, and 
he finished his glorious course on the second day of March, 
1791. I hastened to London on hearing of his situation, 
and arrived the day before his departure. He could speak 



104 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1791-Age 40. 



but little ; but that little was full of that love to God which 
he had ever shown, and which had been his own support 
and happiness throughout a life of such labor, exertion, 
and perseverance, as perhaps was never exceeded by any 
child of man, or any servant of God; and his kindness 
to myself was remarkable to the last. I might enlarge, 
but there is no necessity : I have fully declared my senti- 
ments of the two brothers, in the biography which I have 
published. 

With respect to the events which followed his death, 
I need not be very particular : they are to be found in the 
different histories of Methodism which have been pub- 
lished, and in the Minutes of the various conferences. 
Many were the prophecies that the work would not outlive 
the man ; or that its character, and the manner of conduct- 
ing it, would be greatly, if not entirely, changed. His 
own opinion was, that there would be " a great shaking ;" 
and that a considerable part of the preachers would sepa- 
rate. He thought that about one-third would continue to 
act as they had been called ; while the others would either 
get preferment in the church, or take some chapels and 
societies to themselves, and thus act in the Independent 
way. He told me, as indeed he intimates also in several 
parts of his writings, and as I have declared in his 
Memoirs, that he was resolved to do everything in his 
power, during his life, to prevent this ; — to prevent that 
which was a work of God from being secularized. With 
this view he consented to form and enroll the deed of de- 
claration in the court of chancery ; by which, if it should 
be confirmed by that court, the principal chapels (all those 
which were settled according to his mind) would be se- 
cured to those preachers who should continue to act in the 
same way as they had done while he was at their head. 

The new chapel, (so called for many years,) in the City 
Road, which was built by himself, when he was obliged to 



1791-Age 40. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



105 



give up the Foundry, and for which he had personally 
made collections in every part of the three kingdoms, he 
had settled in a particular way ; not giving to the confer- 
ence the power of appointment after his death, as in the 
deeds of the other chapels; but to twelve persons, — four 
of whom were clergymen of the Church of England, who 
had served him as sons in the gospel for some years, and 
for whom he thus made provision ; and eight preachers. 
The clergymen were to continue, as they had work enough 
in that, and in the other chapels in London ; while the 
preachers, so appointed, were, by the most sober interpre- 
tation, to succeed each other : so that one of them should 
be always there, together with a number of the other 
preachers : and at the decease (not before) of these twelve 
men, the conference should have the power of appointment, 
as in the other chapels. 

By this deed he hoped to secure what has been called 
the head quarters of Methodism to that part of the preach- 
ers whom he supposed would continue to act according to 
the way he had led them ; and, as he believed, according 
to the will of God. Accordingly, he appointed, in his last 
will, (as the deed of the chapel impowered him to do,) 
those eight preachers whom he believed would cordially 
act with the clergymen ; and also with those other preach- 
ers who should continue to act in the way which he, by 
the grace of God, had set before them, and which the Lord 
had so greatly owned and prospered. 

These preachers were not remarkable for splendid gifts ; 
but, as he believed, for a true attachment to Methodist 
doctrines and discipline. Notwithstanding my youth, I 
was placed the third on the list ; and was ordained by him 
and two of those clergymen, a short time after he made his 
last will, which, in his usual condescending way, he gave 
to me to read and to consider; and, to my astonishment, 
he even desired to have my thoughts upon it. I then un- 
5* 



106 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1791-Age 40. 



dertook to fulfill the trusts committed to me ; with respect 
to which I hope I have not been unfaithful. 

At the first conference after the decease of our father in 
the gospel, much of our fear was dissipated. We had 
elders among us who had grown up and become old with 
him ; and their steadiness had a good effect upon their 
junior brethren. The declaration that " we would take up, 
and adhere to, the plan which he had left us, and thus 
devote ourselves afresh to what we all believed to be the 
work of God," was unanimously made, and with every 
appearance of ardent and grateful affection. 

His will was then considered : and here was the first 
jar that appeared among us. The settlement of the new 
chapel, in London, the mother church, being so different 
from the others, produced an uneasiness quite contrary to 
the general composure and solemnity of the meeting. 
Several of the elders just mentioned, whose names were 
omitted in the list of preachers who were to occupy that 
chapel during their lives, seemed surprised and offended ; 
especially as some who were much their juniors were, in 
that particular, seemingly preferred before them. It was 
thought that I could perhaps explain the difficulty ; and I 
was called upon to do so. I laid before them the mind of 
Mr. Wesley, so far as I knew it, and assured them it was 
not his intention to make any distinction that might pre- 
vent our oneness ; but to secure this chapel, which was 
peculiarly his own, for those who should continue to labor 
in the same way as they had done while he was at their 
head ; that our present happy unanimity forbade all fear of 
the contrary — and I thought the conference might appoint 
preachers for London, (the whole of which, with upward 
of twenty miles around it, was then, and for several years 
after, one circuit,) as for the other circuits, without taking 
any special notice of that chapel. 

This seemed very much to quiet them; but the jealousy 



mi-Age 40. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



107 



was not wholly removed. The four clergymen who were 
constantly in turn to occupy that chapel, in reading prayers 
and administering the sacraments, and preaching on the 
Sunday forenoon, might certainly, with the concurrence of 
the trustees, (whose power, if the trust thus given by Mr. 
Wesley were set aside, would be absolute,) assume the 
sole occupancy of it, instead of ministering in the other 
chapels, which were certainly in that day very inferior. 
In that case, our rules, so long established, could not be 
enforced ; as the clergymen were wholly unused to that 
part of our economy, and the people not used to be met or 
directed by them. 

There was also some jealousy remaining concerning the 
preachers who were appointed in like manner, lest they 
should unite, and appoint each other for that chapel, and 
for the chapel at Bath ; and thus become independent of 
the conference during their lives. This was certainly 
possible, and could not be prevented, if they should be so 
minded ; and I was fully sensible of the danger, in both 
its parts. After some painful discussion, I was asked if 
an agreement might not be entered in the journal, to the 
same effect as the declaration which I had just made, 
without violating the will of Mr. Wesley, or weakening 
the trust. I answered, that I was very willing to enter 
into such an agreement, provided the trust should remain 
in full force. I added these words, — " If at any time there 
should be an attempt to act contrary to that design of our 
father in the gospel, and that there should not be any of 
those preachers, so appointed by his will, in London, — 
one of them, if not more, must hasten thither, let them be 
stationed where they may ; for none else can resist the 
trustees, if they should be so minded, or any that should 
act with them." This seemed to give entire satisfaction ; 
and an agreement was drawn up to that effect, and signed 
by all concerned. Thus this happy conference concluded. 



108 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1791-Age 40. 



One of the preachers named in the will was appointed 
superintendent of the London circuit, and another of them 
to be his helper ; and the conference concluded with praise 
to Him " who maketh men to be of one mind in a house." 

Very soon, however, it was found that our loss was 
greater, in the removal of our father in the gospel, than we 
at first apprehended.* The preachers seemed strong, 

* In a few years our happy unanimity ceased; for in the year 
1796, a young man, — Mr. Alexander Kilham, — who had largely 
imbibed the revolutionary doctrines of those days, and who had 
been on that account separated from his brethren, attacked the con- 
ference ha a periodical publication, of which he w T as the editor, on 
their " ambition, covetousness, and gross injustice ;" manifested in 
their obliging the preachers appointed by Mr. Wesley's will to the 
new chapel, as above stated, to renounce their trust, and violate that 
sacred deposit. Mr. John Pawson, one of those senior brethren 
who were not in that trust, and who had fears about it, as already 
expressed, was then in London. He replied to Mr. Kilham, in a 
statement printed at our press, and now lying before me. After 
charging him, in no veiy measured terms, with falsehood and gross 
slander, he states the agreement entered into by the trustees of Mr. 
Wesley; viz. — " We, the undersigned, do engage that we will use 
all the rights and privileges given to us by Mr. Wesley in the pre- 
sent instance, in entire subservience to the conference." He then 
indignantly asks, " Wherein did the injustice of this transaction con- 
sist ? These men were all members of the conference : was it not 
highly reasonable that they should act in concert with then breth- 
ren? How would any one wish them to exercise their powers, but 
in unity and harmony with the rest of the brethren ? And wherein 
was Mr. Wesley's will violated? What ground, then, for this 
wonderful inference of Mr. Kilham, — that nothing was sacred with 
the conference that stood in the way of their own aggrandizement?" 
It is plain, from this publication, that no person, except an enemy, 
had then any notion that Mr. Wesley's will was violated, or the 
trust given up, or at all weakened, by this brotherly agreement. If 
Mr. Wesley's trustees had consented to anything of this kind, they 
would have forfeited thereby then- whole Christian chai'acter; as 
those also would who should attempt to constrain them to it. " The 
rising their powers in entire subservience to the conference," evi- 



1791-Age 40. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



109 



while together ; but on the circuits, each, as appointed, 
soon found the want of that presiding spirit to whom the 
people generally had at all times submitted. It was whis- 
pered, and those whispers soon assumed a louder tone, — 
" Mr. Wesley was our father ; the preachers are our breth- 
ren, and they have no right to rule over us." Hence 
attempts were very soon made to introduce a system that 
would, in the issue, destroy our Christian union, and make 
our societies independent. What are called, in Scripture, 
" troublous times," succeeded ; into the details of which I 
shall not now enter. My task is accomplished for the 
present ; but I may possibly resume it in another volume. 
I have only to state the goodness of the Lord to me in 
those suffering times, when " without were fightings, and 
within were fears." So great were they at various times, 
that I knew not how to act, and almost despaired of pre- 
serving our union as a work of God. I was sometimes 
strongly tempted to retire from the public work ; especially 
as my health had been greatly injured. At other times, I 
thought of giving up all enforcement of discipline, and of 
confining myself to the duty of preaching, and visiting the 
people who should desire it. I could not, however, while 
there was any hope, lay down the cross of enforcing our 
rules, so necessary for the good of the people ; and so to 
assume an easy life, and one, especially, that appeared so 
very desirable for my own comfort. I was thus as it were 
sawn asunder, and expected nothing but soon to end my 
weary pilgrimage, and join those who had rested from their 
labors. The Lord, however, looked upon me in mercy, 
and often helped and encouraged me ; and at one time 
gave me a word in season, rather in an extraordinary way ; 
it came without any previous consideration. 

dently meant, according to the rules established, and by which the 
conference is at all times bound to act : and this was fully under- 
stood when the engagement was made. 



110 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1791-^e 40. 



I thought I was preaching before the conference; and 
found myself immediately impelled to write, which I did 
as fast as my fingers could move. A text was given me, 
which I never preached from either before or since, and 
from which I began, without a moment's delay, and pro- 
ceeded as follows, as if I had been before that solemn 
assembly. 

DISCOURSE. 
John xxi, 15-17. 

15. " So when they bad dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, 
son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these ? He saith unto him, 
Yea, Lord ; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, 
Feed my lambs. 

16. " He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jona9, 
lovest thou me ? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord ; thou knowest that 
I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 

17. " He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest 
thou me ? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third 
time, Lovest thou me ? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest 
all things ; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed 
my sheep. h 

It is generally granted that a man, when he preaches to 
others, ought also to preach to himself. He ought not to 
take refuge under that excuse, " Do not do as I do, but do 
as I say." Nay, thou that teachest another, teachest thou not 
thyself? Certainly no man should except himself. He 
ought to be willing to put himself among those that learn, 
yea, into the lowest place ; and hope that God may give a 
word to him also. 

In this light I consider myself before my fathers and 
brethren : I have a hope that " I speak as the oracles of 
God," and on that account may be able to stir up your 
wiser and purer minds by way of remembrance, and to re- 
ceive myself, as wanting it most, — instruction and strength. 

St. Peter found himself now in the presence of the Lord 
who healed him, as many a sincere man has done, — sen- 



1791-Age 40. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



Ill 



sible that he had " thought more highly of himself than he 
ought to think," and had gloried in what he had received, 
as though he had not received it. No doubt he was now 
a wiser man than ever, and more fully determined to spend 
and be spent for his Lord and Master. 

Our Lord now, therefore, renews his commission ; and 
willing that all his works should be done in love, he 
touches that string. He knew it was the most tender one 
to a man who felt his backslidings healed, instead of 
being cast out of the presence of Him with whom " there 
is fullness of joy." 

No doubt, when Peter heard him say, "Lovest thou 
me V 9 he felt that he could, like the soldier in Ignatius, 
" lance this flesh, or lie whole nights in frost." His 
throwing himself into the sea, when he knew it was his 
Master, was a little thing compared to what he felt he 
could do. A burning fiery furnace would have better 
suited the grateful feelings of his soul. 

But he will boast no more : he now knows himself : he has 
got enough of independence ; and he also knows boasting 
to be needless. He now knows fully that his Master 
reads the heart, and knows all he felt. " Lord," says he, 
" thou knowest that I love thee :" yet, at the third question, 
he is almost ready to boast again ; such a fire was kindled 
within him ! 

But here is love in a preacher of the gospel ! — active, 
suffering love ! Feed my sheep ! No, think not of life or 
death, or of anything but of feeding the flock of Jesus, 
which he has purchased with his own blood ! When 
compared to this, what is a burning fiery furnace ? " Ap- 
proving yourselves the ministers of God, in much patience, 
in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in 
imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fast- 
ings ; by purity, by prudence, by long-suffering, by kindness, 
by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of 



112 



LIFE OF HENP.Y SIOORE. 



1791-Age 40. 



truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness 
on the right hand and on the left ; through honor and dis- 
honor, through evil report and good report ; as deceivers, 
and yet true : as unknown, and yet well known ; as dying, 
yet behold we live ; as chastened, yet not killed ; as sor- 
rowful, yet always rejoicing ; as poor, yet making many 
rich; as having nothing, yet possessing all things." 

St. Peter was now afresh constituted a shepherd, — a 
chief shepherd among men, — an underling with his Master: 
what a comfort ! We may cast our care upon Him, for he 
is the chief Shepherd : we are not answerable but for our 
duty. We shall reign in bliss, though Israel be not 
gathered. 

With respect to this calling, it does not appear that there 
is any need for a man to be a lord in order to be a shepherd ; 
though some of those have been shepherds also, of Avhom 
the Lord will not be ashamed : nor does it appear that a 
man need be rich in this world in order to be a shepherd. 
This Shepherd said, " Silver or gold have I none :" indeed, 
if he happen to have this world's goods, as some of them 
have had, he need not be hindered thereby, so that he does 
not " trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God," or 
grow delicate through them; but still " endures hardness as 
a good soldier of Jesus Christ," and " is merciful after his 
power." 

It does not appear that he needs a black gown, a white 
gown, or any gown, in order to be a shepherd : nor are 
these the marks of a wolf, as some have said. Some that 
have worn them have been " workmen that needed not to be 
ashamed," and fathers who naturally cared for the flock. 
Neither does it appear that a shepherd should be either 
able or willing to speak in an unknown tongue to the 
sheep : this is child's play, or worse, as St. Paul declares 
to the sheep of his day. If, indeed, he happens to have a 
store of this kind, and finds that it makes him a wiser and 



\191-Age40. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 113 



more able minister, let him be thankful, and glory only in 
the Lord. 

But there is a great need that he should be a man of God, 
— a man devoted to God, — a man influenced by God, — a 
man not living to himself, but to Him who lived and died, 
and rose again for him, — a man that contends with the 
devil, with the armor of God upon him, — a man that has 
help from God, and refuge in God, — a man that has hap- 
piness in God ; that, whether his message be received or 
rejected, he may " rejoice, and glory in the God of his 
salvation." 

He should be wise unto salvation : should know the 
word of God, and the work of God : should be a man of 
one book ; and should " read, mark, learn, and inwardly 
digest " it. He should eat it, as some of the prophets were 
ordered to do : and he should use what helps he can get, 
in order fully to understand it ; that he may be " a work- 
man that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the 
word of truth." 

He should know the work of God ; and should be able 
to say, " God, who commanded the light to shine out of 
darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to enlighten us with 
the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus 
Christ." " I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, and 
the life I live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, 
who loved me, and delivered up himself for me." He should 
abound in hope, and say, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear 
heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to con- 
ceive, what God hath prepared for those that love him ; but 
God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit." He should 
know repentance unto life, the new birth, the witness of 
God, the strivings of the flesh and the spirit, the establishing 
grace, the dwelling in love, and so dwelling in God. 

And thou, O man of God, feed my lambs ; feed my 
sheep. It is generally understood that by lambs here is 



114 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1791-Age 40. 



meant weak Christians, babes in Christ ; by sheep, those 
that are strong. 

We would have them all strong in the Lord, that we 
might have no trouble with them. We would have them 
of the pentecostal kind, that great grace might be upon 
them all. But this is impossible. If it were so of any- 
given number, it could not continue ; for these must strive 
to convert others, and as soon as they have " a desire to 
flee from the wrath to come," and to be saved from their 
sins, they must receive them and bear with all their 
ignorance, obstinacy, unbelief, worldly-mindedness, and 
evil tempers ; and never thrust them out till it is plainly 
seen that they have turned back to perdition, and really 
work wickedness. 

Now feed these ! Here is the proof of love ! Feed this 
unbelieving and perverse generation ! remembering that 
" we ourselves were disobedient, enslaved to divers lusts 
and passions, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating 
one another." Feed them, if so be there may be hope : 
feed them with the word ; and the fat with judgment. 
"Cast thy bread upon the waters : for thou shalt find it 
after many days." " In the morning sow thy seed, and in 
the evening withhold not thine hand : for thou knowest not 
whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they 
both shall be alike good." 

And make not haste, though much evil should appear. 
" Though perilous times should come, and men should 
appear to be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, arrogant, 
proud, evil speakers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, 
unholy, without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, 
intemperate, fierce, despisers of good men, traitors, rash, 
puffed up, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. 
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power of it." 
Yet, love st thou me 1 then toil in this fire ! Yea, though 
the " mystery of iniquity " affect thyself ; though it cause 



1191-Age 40. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



115 



thee to weep before the Lord, and thy way to be strewed 
with thorns, yet give not place to the devil. " Be not 
overcome of evil :" but this one thing do, " save a soul 
from death, and hide a multitude of sins !" 

What though they appear to have neither the true 
repentance, the unfeigned faith, the glorious hope, the 
burning love, the heavenly mind, — yet they may have. 
Love hopeth all things. God is near. How knowest 
thou, O man, but thou mayest save thy enemy ? yea, the 
enemy of God ! 

Feed my sheep ! here is your comfort ! here is your 
glory and your crown ! the sheep of Christ ; O take care 
of these ! We may understand by these, those " who are 
begotten again to a lively hope ;" who hear His voice, and 
follow him ; who are indeed as the apple of his eye ! the 
church which he purified to himself, that it might be a 
glorious church, " without spot or wrinkle, or any such 
thing." O feed these ! the blood-besprinkled bands ! " the 
heirs of God, and joint heirs of Christ !" 

In order to this, remember the words of Christ : " For 
their sakes I sanctify (devote) myself, that they also may 
be sanctified through the truth. That they all may be one, 
as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may 
be one in us ; that the world may believe that thou hast 
sent me." Go thou and do likewise. How shalt thou 
feed these, but with the bread of life ? yea, with the body 
and blood of Christ ! How, but with the great and precious 
promises ! that they may go on from faith to faith ; that 
their " love may abound yet more and more ;" and that they 
may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Ghost. 

Feed them with thy life ! The good Shepherd giveth 
his life for the sheep. Lay down thy life for them; thine 
earthly life ! Be dead to all below, so that these may 
live ! And now live, if they stand fast in the Lord ! 

How great the dignity, the honor, of a shepherd under 



116 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1791-Age 40. 



Christ ! How great love to him, thus to feed his sheep ! 
and spend, and be spent for him ! 

The discourse thus given I have used only as the seaman 
uses his chart, while steering through unknown seas. I 
have sometimes thought of enlarging it, and forming it into 
a regular discourse, that I might use it in that way. But 
I never could find freedom to do so ; I could not even 
attempt it. I can, however, now commit it, with this short 
account of my life, and of the Lord's gracious dealings 
with me, to the consideration of all those whom it may 
concern. I believe it will be found to unite with the fool- 
ishness of preaching, and to be helpful to it at all times, 
especially where there is littleness of faith, and conse- 
quently much unsubdued corruption. It has certainly been 
helpful to me, in preserving me from departing from the 
work, or from giving up any part of it ; and in enabling me 
to pass through, and even to praise the Lord in, the fires 
that nearly consumed me. 

Having thus obtained help of the Lord, I continue to 
this day, his weak and very unworthy servant ; happy in 
being still engaged in his work. I have proved that he 
who is called of God to that work shall never want the aid 
of Him who calls him ; and that he shall find life and 
comfort even in killing places. I believe that we may all 
thus abide with the Lord, and serve him, notwithstanding 
all opposition. We have the word, which is " mighty 
through God to the pulling down of strongholds," — fortresses 
of ignorance, prejudice, passion, pride, appetite, — the 
armor of the strong man, — and " bringing every thought 
into captivity to the obedience of Christ." And we have 
good rules, which are truly founded on that word ; and 
which have stood the test of a long, and sometimes a fiery, 
trial ; and which if we keep, they, by the blessing of the 
chief Shepherd, will keep us. To God be all glory ! Amen. 



1791-Age 40. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



117 



BOOK III. 

COMPILER'S INTRODUCTION. 

Mr. Moore, in concluding the preceding sketch of his 
early life, intimates, that in another volume he may con- 
tinue the account, and detail the various important events 
which immediately followed the date to which it reaches ; 
but no steps were taken toward the accomplishment 
of this much-desired object, previous to the second at- 
tack of paralysis, which deprived him of nearly all bodily 
power. 

Conscious of having neglected an important duty he 
would never again have power himself to discharge, and 
suffering much in his mind from regret on account of such 
neglect, all his papers were examined by himself and the 
compiler of the following pages, and, at Mr. Moore's 
earnest entreaty, the continuation of his Life was then 
written from those papers. 

No one can more regret that the venerable man did not 
himself complete that which he commenced, and which 
his friends certainly expected from him, than the compiler ; 
but it may be a satisfaction to those friends to know, that 
the manuscript of the succeeding sheets was read by Mr. 
Moore more than once, and approved by him, which has 
made the facts his own, though not told in his own terse 
manner ; and thus has the anxiety of the compiler been 
very much lessened. 



118 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



mi-Age40. 



FROM MR. WESLEY'S DEATH TO THE TRIAL OF 
MR. KILHAM. 

[1791—1796.] 

The subsequent portion of the Life of the Rev. Henry 
Moore will be continued from the date of the decease of 
the Rev. John Wesley in the year 1791, to which period 
the preceding autobiography reaches. 

We shall perceive that this lamented event was almost 
immediately followed by the commencement of those very 
" troublous times " in the Wesleyan body, hinted at by 
Mr. Moore in the conclusion of his narrative. In order 
the more clearly to point out the causes which led to 
some of these effects, it will be requisite to make a few 
prefatory remarks on what has already been briefly noticed. 

The venerable founder of Methodism had for several 
years entertained an affectionate regard for Mr. Moore, 
and on several points had, notwithstanding Mr. Moore's 
comparative youth, not only sought his opinion, but availed 
himself of his counsel also, even relative to the drawing 
up of his last will, and in token of his love and esteem 
for him, Mr. Wesley left his friend one of the trustees of 
his manuscripts, and of his books in London, Bristol, and 
Kingswood ; one of the clauses in the will being the 
following : — 

" I give all my manuscripts to Thomas Coke, Doctor 
Whitehead, and Henry Moore, to be burnt or published, 
as they may see good." 

Three other gentlemen, — Messrs. Wolff, Horton, and 
Marriott, — were appointed executors ; the will itself bear- 
ing date October 5th, 1789. 

The day after Mr. Wesley's death, it was judged neces- 
sary to open his will, the executors having made known 



im-Age40. LIFE OP HENRY MOORE, 



119 



their intention of administering to it; when they were 
unexpectedly informed that Mr. Wesley had executed a 
deed subsequently to the will, in which he gave " all his 
books, tracts, pamphlets, and stock in trade, and all his 
copyright to all books which he had already printed, or 
might afterward print, unto Thomas Coke, LL. D., Alex- 
ander Mather, Peard Dickenson, John Valton, James 
Rogers, Joseph Taylor, and Adam Clarke, to the intent 
that they should apply all the profits of the said books, &c, 
unto the sole use and benefit of the conference of the 
people called Methodists, as established by a deed poll 
under the hand and seal of the said John Wesley, bearing 
date the 28th day of February, 1784, and enrolled in his 
majesty's high court of chancery." By this deed, also, 
the seven trustees therein named were ordered and 
impowered, " with all convenient speed, to pay and 
discharge such debts as the said John Wesley should owe 
at the time of his death, out of the profits of the said 
books, &c, and also to pay any legacies or annuities, 
which he, the said John Wesley, should bequeath by will 
to any person, or persons whomsoever." 

This deed was executed after Mr. Moore had left Lon- 
don ; and it was intended by Mr. Wesley as an additional 
guard of his books, &c, which was the only property of 
which he died possessed, and which he had bequeathed 
to the conference ; but he was informed this was not suf- 
ficient to secure his property against his heirs-at-law, as 
it was not then known whether the conference (as esta- 
blished by the before-named deed poll) would be recog- 
nized as a legally-constituted body. Mr. Wesley had 
always a scrupulous jealousy against appropriating any 
property to himself which he had received in consequence 
of his peculiar position in reference to the work of God 
among the Methodist body, believing it should be used in 
that especial work only. 



120 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



mi-Age 40. 



The individual who held this deed, which was executed 
October the 5th, 1790, submitted it to the executors whether 
it would not be proper to delay taking out letters of ad- 
ministration until the return of Dr. Coke, who was then 
in America, but who was shortly expected home. After 
much consideration, the three executors declared their 
intention of immediately administering to the will of Mr. 
Wesley; which was forthwith printed by Mr. Rogers, and 
a copy sent to all the preachers in the connection, signed 
by the three executors themselves, and the Methodist 
preachers in London. 

While these arrangements were taking place in London, 
it was unexpectedly announced that a Life of the Rev. 
John Wesley was in the press, drawn up by Mr. John 
Hampson, junior, afterward rector of Sunderland. This 
circumstance seemed at once to demand an examination 
of Mr. Wesley's papers, without waiting longer for the 
arrival of Dr. Coke ; especially as it was believed the 
announced Life of Mr. Wesley would not be impartial, 
from the circumstance of Mr. John Hampson, junior, having 
quitted the body of the Wesleyan itinerant preachers in 
displeasure, some time before. 

This gentleman's father had been for many years one 
of Mr. Wesley's preachers, and had often accompanied 
him on his visits to different counties in England. His 
extraordinary strength, both of body and voice, often in- 
timidated the riotous bodies of men which were frequently 
collected to interrupt Mr. Wesley in his attempts to 
preach :* he was a man of considerable abilities ; but his 
democratic political principles often swayed his conduct, 
and at times very considerably inconvenienced Mr. Wesley 

* A striking instance of the exercise of the authoritative voice of 
Mr. Hampson is recorded at page 99 of the " Account of the In- 
fancy, Religious and Literaiy Life of Adam Clarke, LL. D.," second 
edition. 



1791-Age 40. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



121 



in his church government, but which he bore with his 
usual gentleness and long-suffering. 

In the year 1785, Mr. Hampson, senior, abruptly left his 
circuit, to accept an offer to superintend a school in the 
county of Kent. About the same time, his son became 
acquainted with some pious individuals who had formed 
an association to introduce religious young men into the 
Established Church; and he, having received the rudi- 
ments of a classical education at Mr. Wesley's school at 
Kings wood, fell in with their views, and was sent by them 
to Oxford. 

The two Mr. Hampsons sent in their Tetters of resigna- 
tion to Mr. Wesley ; that of the elder being couched in 
terms of much bitter reflection on Mr. Wesley, for having 
omitted the insertion of his name on the deed poll. On 
this ground it was argued that the announced Life of Mr. 
Wesley would not be a candid one ; [the sequel proved the 
truth of the supposition ;] and hence it became necessary 
that a Life, drawn from proper documents, and from per- 
sonal knowledge, should be forthwith announced as being 
prepared for speedy publication. In fact, Mr. Hampson's 
Life of Mr. Wesley was intended to have been published 
during the lifetime of the founder of Methodism : it was 
nearly printed off ; and was designed as the amende honor- 
able to that church into which he was about to enter. 

We have seen, that Mr. Wesley had devised, by iMt, 
" all his manuscripts to Dr. Coke, Dr. Whitehead, and 
Henry Moore, to be burnt or published, as they should 
see good." At the time of Mr. Wesley's death, Mr. Moore 
was fully engaged as an itinerant preacher in the Bristol 
circuit. No sooner, however, did he hear of the increased 
infirmity and illness of his venerated friend, than he 
hastened up to London ; and arrived just in time to re- 
ceive the last breath of that eminent servant of God. 

Conformable with the resolution of Mr. Wesley's ex- 
6 



122 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1191-Age 40. 



ecutors and trustees, relative to a Life of Mr. Wesley 
issuing from those who, having been long on terms of 
intimacy with, and possessing the original papers of, Mr. 
Wesley, were best fitted to give a fair and full detail of 
that life ; it was judged best to have immediate recourse 
to all Mr. Wesley's papers and correspondence : these had 
been all sealed up and delivered into the care of Mr. James 
Rogers, (who was, at the time of Mr. Wesley's death, 
superintendent of the London circuit,) with the intention 
of their remaining thus, till the anticipated return of Dr. 
Coke ; and it was deemed advisable not to issue such 
Life until Mr. lEimpson had published his Memoir of Mr. 
Wesley, in order to meet any objections he might raise, 
prejudicial to the reputation of that great and good man. 

These precautions, unhappily, were not followed up by 
other judicious arrangements. Mr. Moore, in the un- 
bounded confidence of his own felt integrity, and judging 
his itinerant ministerial labors of higher consequence than 
any more located duty, resolved on leaving the compilation 
of the Life to some one not so fully engaged in sacred 
duty as himself. Such a one he judged he should find 
in Dr. Whitehead ; who, besides being one of the three 
trustees of Mr. Wesley's papers, had long had the privilege 
of personal knowledge of him. Dr. Whitehead was also 
considered to be not only a man of some learning, but one 
who held Mr. Wesley and his spiritual church as far 
beyond all the meaner considerations of mere personal 
aggrandizement. Tin's over confidence on the part of Mr. 
Moore was followed by a long train of uneasinesses and 
misfortunes. 

In justification of Mr. Moore's having given up so incon- 
siderately his part of the high trust reposed in him by 
Mr. Wesley, it must be remembered that he ever deemed 
his call to the ministerial itinerancy as superior in mag- 
nitude to every other consideration : this fact will appear 



1791-Age 40. 



LIFE OF HENJtY MOORE. 



123 



still more clearly from the following circumstances. About 
two years prior to the death of Mr. Wesley, Mr. Thomas 
Olivers being judged unfit to be continued as editor of the 
Arminian Magazine, Mr. Wesley introduced into the con- 
ference the subject of a successor to that office. Mr. 
Bradburn named Mr. Moore, as calculated to fill the 
situation of editor, both as a man of understanding, and 
possessing some knowledge of letters. Mr. Wesley was 
silent, as he never would propose to any person to leave 
the itinerancy, while in health to continue it : at the same 
time he would consider the relative suitability of any indi- 
vidual who might be disposed to offer himself. Mr. Moore 
promptly replied that " he hoped to live, and to die, a 
traveling preacher ; and that he would not accept ot any 
office which would militate against, what he deemed, his 
higher, holier, and more imperative duty." He afterward, 
in private, recommended to Mr. Wesley the Rev. James 
Creighton, a clergyman, then officiating as such at the 
various chapels in London : this nomination met both with 
Mr. Wesley's and Mr. Creighton's approval, and he was 
accordingly appointed to the office of editor, which he held 
till the death of Mr. Wesley., when he resigned it to the 
conference, which was held in London in the year 1792. 

Nor did this feeling, on the part of Mr. Moore, in refer- 
ence to his call to the itinerant work, yield to yet more 
tender or more interested motives ; for on the death of his 
mother, in the year 1792, he was importuned by his whole 
family to go over to Ireland to settle her property, which 
consisted in land and houses ; and he being the only son, 
also his mother's first-named executor, it was judged 
absolutely necessary for him to comply with the solicita- 
tions of his family, to go and collect the rents, and manage 
the other financial concerns ; the tenants, it was urged, 
being unwilling to pay their respective moneys except to 
himself : but in this matter Mr. Moore was equally firm, 



124 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1791-^e 40. 



returning for answer, " That if the rents were not collected 
at all, he could not help it, for that nothing should take him 
out of the regular itinerant labor as a Methodist preacher." 
Such firmness of purpose and conduct, in the path of duty, 
remained with him to the last. He felt that he was 
walking in the path Providence continued to mark out for 
him, believing the unction of the Holy One had anointed 
him to preach the gospel, and to spend and be spent in 
calling sinners to repentance! Bennet Dugdale, Esq., of 
Dublin, who had married one of Mr. Moore's sisters, sub- 
sequently undertook this fraternal duty, leaving Mr. Moore 
unfettered, even in thought, with any locating worldly em- 
ployment. 

Almost immediately after the appearance of Mr. Hamp- 
son's Life of Mr. Wesley, the trustees of Mr. Wesley's 
books, and the preachers, assembled in London, being dis- 
pleased with the conduct of Dr. Whitehead, relative to the 
papers Mr. Moore had confided to his charge, previously 
to the arrival of Dr. Coke, resolved to issue a Life of Mr. 
Wesley from their own press. They appointed Dr. Coke 
and Mr. Moore to compile it with all convenient speed. 
This was accordingly done, and Dr. Coke and Mr. Moore's 
Life of Mr. Wesley, in one volume, octavo, appeared in 
the spring of 1792. 

Shortly after its appearance, The Analytical Review took 
up this Life of Mr. Wesley, and, comparing it with the Life 
previously written by Mr. Hampson, accused Dw Coke 
and Mr. Moore of " plagiarism :" to this charge the late 
Dr. Adam Clarke replied in the same periodical, in January, 
1793, contending that each party had alike borrowed from 
the printed works of Mr. Wesley, and had an equal right 
to those public sources of information and reference : this 
reply set the question for ever at rest. 

Mr. Wesley during his life had alone presided over the 
annual meetings of the preachers in their conferences : 



1791-Age 40. 



LIFE' OF HENRY MOORE. 



125 



and for upward of fifty years he had, under God, been 
the father and the head of the whole Methodist connection ; 
and though by far the greater number of the societies had 
been formed by the zeal and labor of the itinerant preachers, 
yet it was Mr. Wesley who had begun the work, formed 
the rules, and organized the plan by which the whole was 
governed, and he was justly considered as the father of 
the whole. 

But when thus he ceased to be, he could not delegate 
his influence to another ; the prophet was gone, but his 
mantle had not been left on any individual behind him ; 
but still God left not this vine of his own right hand 
planting, without watching over it in much of the power 
of the Holy Spirit. 

Since the days of its founder, Wesley an Methodism has 
had many representatives, but only one father. 

The death of Mr. Wesley took place on the second day 
of March, 1791. Mr. Moore, on hearing of the serious 
illness of the venerable man, hastened up to town, but, the 
duties of his circuit being urgent, he returned to Bristol 
directly after his death. 

The Rev. James Rogers was then the resident assistant 
of Mr. Wesley, and consequently all his manuscripts were 
under his care at the City Road ; Dr. Coke was at that 
time from London, and hence Dr. Whitehead, the second 
named of the trustees for the papers, was alone on the 
spot, — and Mr. Moore, after his return from Bristol, in- 
structed Mr. Rogers at once to deliver the papers of Mr. 
Wesley into the hands of Dr. Whitehead. This is evident 
from the subjoined letter of Dr. Whitehead, addressed to 
Mr. Moore, at Bristol, and dated, 

London, July 4, 1791. 
Dear Brother, — After reading Hampson's Memoirs of 
Mr. Wesley, which come infinitely short of what I expected 



126 LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. mi-Age 40. 



from them, except in the single article of ill-nature, I 
have determined to comply with the request of the execu- 
tors and other friends, and to write the Life of Mr. Wesley 
in the best manner I am able. 

On this account it is necessaiy that I should see Mr. 
Wesley's manuscripts as far as may be, and as Dr. Coke 
is expected in town from Dublin some day this week, I 
think it will be needful for you to come to town also, in 
your way to conference. I mentioned this to Mr. Rogers 
and Mr. Rankin, who were of the same opinion. I there- 
fore wish you to be in London as early in the next week 
as your affairs will permit, as I shall not consent that the 
papers be opened until you are present. 

With love to Mrs. Moore and all friends, 

I am your affectionate brother, 

J. Whitehead. 

The first conference of the Wesleyan Methodists as- 
sembled shortly after the receipt of this letter; with the 
request of which, that is, Mr. Moore's calling previously 
in London, it is evident he had not complied ; most pro- 
bably from want of time. The Rev. William Thompson 
was chosen president of that conference, and Dr. Coke 
secretary. One of the first acts of its assembling was to 
take into consideration the propriety of, and measures for, 
a standard Life of Mr. Wesley ; and an expression of its 
desire that the three trustees of the manuscripts of Mr. 
Wesley, namely, Dr. Coke, Dr. Whitehead, and Mr. Henry 
Moore, should together examine all the manuscripts, and 
make immediate arrangement for the compiling of a Life, 
by Dr. Whitehead, of that great and good man, from those 
manuscripts. 

Here arose the first difficulty : Mr. Moore had already 
ceded the papers to Dr. Whitehead ; and after the con- 
ference had ordered their previous examination by the 



mi-Age 40. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



127 



three trustees, Dr. Whitehead made difficulties, then ob- 
jected, and finally resisted the fair examination of those 
papers, according to the instructions and spirit of the orders 
of the conference. 

Mr. Moore being first in the offense, by having ceded 
the right of possession to the one trustee, he was doubly 
grieved by the opposition of Dr. Whitehead to the orders 
of conference, and wrote several letters to the doctor, 
complaining of his breach of trust ; but naught availed, and 
at length he resolved to come up to town, and see what 
his personal presence could effect. This determination he 
made known by letter to Dr. Whitehead ; and the following 
reply will best evince the state of the case at the period to 
which we refer. 

The letter of Dr. Whitehead to Mr. Moore is dated, 

London, October 15, 1791. 
Dear Sir, — I again take the liberty to trouble you on 
the business of Mr. Wesley's papers, to prevent you from 
making a useless journey to London. You know the 
order is, that when the papers are examined, such of them 
as are deemed not proper for publication shall be imme- 
diately burned. But many of these are not only useful, but 
necessary for me in my present work. You know also 
that you and Dr. Coke have put all the papers into my 
hands, for the express purpose of making use of them in 
writing Mr. Wesley's Life. On these considerations I am 
determined not to part with the papers, nor suffer them to 
be examined, until I have made use of them as far as I shall 
want ; unless you and Dr. Coke will enter into a positive 
engagement to leave such papers in my hands as I shall 
desire, or think I may want. 

I am, with love to Mrs. Moore, 

Your affectionate friend, 

J. Whitehead. 



128 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1791-.Age40. 



On the fly-leaf of this letter Mr. Moore has written 
the following reply, the copy of which he sent to Dr. 
Whitehead : — < 

Believe me, I am very sorry to have the smallest pros- 
pect of a moment's contention with Dr. Whitehead ; but I 
must observe, that when, as you say, I consented that the 
papers should be put into your hands, I did it without the 
most distant thought of precluding myself from examining 
them, in case the conference should think it necessary for 
me so to do ; and I think I said as much in my letter to 
you ; (but indeed you, and all men, must have understood 
it so, unless I was supposed to be a fool.) The conference 
determined that I should examine them, and that I should 
not substitute any person in my place. 

I wish to avoid every dispute that interest may in any 
wise occasion on either side. But that anything in those 
manuscripts should be published without our examination 
and consent, appears to me to be entirely contrary to justice, 
and subversive of the design of the testator. 

I go to London from a sense of duty to Mr. Wesley and 
my brethren ; and with respect to time, to my circuit. O 
that the God of peace would look upon us, and cause us 
not to fall out by the way ! This would be a real grief to 
me, as I earnestly desire and wish to live and be at peace 
with all men. 

Your affectionate brother, 

H. Moore. 

That, however, in defiance of remonstrance, Dr. White- 
head persevered in refusing all examination of the papers 
of Mr. Wesley, is most certain, and hence the connection 
generally disapproved of his writing the Life at all ; and the 
ensuing conference refused to negotiate for it when Dr. 
Whitehead offered it to them, — then not as their work, — but 



1791-Age 40. 



life of t;i:xry MOORE. 



129 



his own. Mr. Moore had also written a series of letters 
to the book committee, in explanation of the position in 
which he stood relative to the papers, and to Dr. White- 
head's detention of them without the previous examination 
of their contents by Dr. Coke and himself, which the 
conference had desired : this was the cause of the uneasi- 
ness and displeasure of the conference; and when it is 
remembered how confidential and extensive the corres- 
pondence of Mr. Wesley was, it cannot be a matter of 
surprise that the contents of those papers should be a 
subject of deep interest to the body, and their judicious use 
and inspection the object of its greatest solicitude. Still, 
as we have seen, many of the preachers had the utmost 
confidence in Dr. Whitehead's ability and judgment, and 
hesitated not to intrust the whole conduct of the papers 
and manuscripts, and their result, — the writing of the Life 
of Mr. Wesley, — into Dr. Whitehead's sole individual 
management. 

In the mean time, the following letter, from the Rev. 
William Thompson, (who had had the honor of having 
been elected the first president of the conference, after the 
death of Mr. Wesley,) to Mr. Moore, will show the general 
impression of the preachers as the body politic of the con- 
nection : it is dated, 

Wakefikld, December 13th, 1791. 
My Dear Brother, — I am much obliged to you for 
sending me a copy of the letter sent to Dr. Whitehead 
and the committee, and think the sentiments in general 
very just. 

If the doctor and his party are quiet for the sake of 
peace, I would say no more about it ; but otherwise would 
send a copy to every assistant, except myself, for as I 
have one, and the people are all quiet here, it would be a 
useless expense : and I assure you I have had more letters 
6* 



130 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1792-Age 41. 



upon the subject of Mr. Wesley's Life, than I could well 
pay for, or had time to answer. 

Perhaps, at any rate, it would be well to send one to 
Messrs. Rutherford, Benson, Pawson, Wood, and Gualter, 
as either themselves, or some of the people, seem to be 
most uneasy about Dr. Whitehead not writing the Life, 
though I have not heard from any of them since 1 an- 
swered their letters, except Mr. Wood, who is altogether 
of my mind. 

You will please to give my respects to Mrs. Moore, Mr. 
and Mrs. Rogers, Dr. Coke, and the whole of your com- 
mittee ; and tell Mr. Rodda I shall write him a long letter 
when I have time. I hope you will do me the justice to 
believe me, 

Your affectionate friend and brother, 

William Thompson. 

That Mr. Moore, of all men concerned, must feel the 
most deeply and distressingly this unfaithful transaction, is 
not more probable than it is certain ; and that it bore its 
indelible effects upon all his future conduct is equally true, 
and gave a decision, and firmness of character and conduct, 
when any question of trust was involved, that in one part 
of Mr. Moore's subsequent life was the fruitful source of 
much discussion between himself and his brethren, in re- 
ference to his appointment by a deed, executed by Mr. 
Wesley, appointing himself, with several clergymen and 
preachers, " to preach in the new chapel at London, and 
to be the committee for appointing preachers in the new 
chapel at Bath." 

The uneasiness in reference to Dr. Whitehead's conduct 
still existed, when in July, 1792, the conference again 
assembled, meeting in London, when Rev. Alexander 
Mather was chosen president, and Dr. Coke secretary : 



1793- Age 42. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



131 



but these uneasinesses had been considerably soothed by a 
Life of Mr. Wesley, by Dr. Coke and Mr. Moore, which 
had been resolved upon and issued, when the preachers 
found that Dr. Whitehead would not suffer the examination 
of Mr. Wesley's manuscripts, agreeably to his own stipu- 
lation, and the sole condition on which the conference 
would receive it as the standard Life of their venerated 
founder. 

The first edition of this joint Life of Mr. Wesley, by 
Dr. Coke and Mr. Moore, which consisted of ten thousand 
copies, was disposed of in a few weeks, and a second 
edition was selling when the conference assembled in 
July, 1792. 

Dr. Whitehead then endeavored to negotiate with the 
conference for their publishing his forthcoming Life of Mr. 
Wesley ; but that body determined, after much considera- 
tion of the subject, upon leaving the doctor to follow his 
own course, since he still steadily refused to show the 
documents from which he was compiling it : and they 
contented themselves with bearing their testimony against 
an evil which they could not remedy without having re- 
course to law. In the Life of Mr. Wesley, written by Dr. 
Coke and Mr. Moore, no mention was made of any of 
these painful circumstances : the facts were heard, though 
but imperfectly, by the public ; and when Dr. Whitehead 
published his Life of Mr. Wesley, if he had observed a 
similar silence on all the points in dispute, instead of 
charging the preachers with harsh treatment of him- 
self, it would not have required the painful details 
which afterward appeared, in order in this instance 
also to prove that "he who is first in his own cause 
seemeth to be right, but his neighbor cometh and search- 
eth him out." 

The fiftieth conference of the Wesleyan body was held 



132 



LIFE OF HEXRY MOORE. 



1793-Age 42. 



at Leeds, in July, 1793, when the Rev. John Pawson was 
chosen president, and Dr. Coke secretary. 

At this period, several questions of church discipline 
agitated the Methodist societies, especially that one of the 
administration of the holy sacrament among the Wesleyans 
as a body, constituting a separate, but still a friendly Chris- 
tian church with the Establishment. 

During the lifetime of Mr. Wesley, he alone, and the 
clergy acting with him, had at any time administered the 
holy sacraments of baptism and the Lord's supper in the 
chapels in which he officiated for the time being, Mr. 
Wesley never having allowed those whom he termed his 
" lay preachers " to administer either of these holy sacra- 
ments, because Mr. Wesley, from the first organization of 
his church polity, regarded his lay preachers in the light 
of a band of missionaries, called by the special providence 
of God to go throughout the length and breadth of the land, 
to call sinners to repentance ; to awaken through the na- 
tion a sense of the vital importance of religion, and to as- 
sociate together in Christian fellowship such as having 
heard the sound of the gospel trumpet, had taken warning, 
and desired to flee from the wrath to come, and to learn 
the way of God more perfectly. These bands of converts 
were by degrees formed into Christian * societies ; but 
though they had preaching among themselves, they were 
encouraged to attend their parish churches, and, as we have 
seen, invariably so, for the administration of the holy sa- 
craments. During Mr. Wesley's lifetime, and in many 
places for years after his death, there was no preaching in 
his chapels, or preaching rooms, in church horns, but either 
earlier or later than the service in the Established Church ; 
indeed it is known from himself, as well as from his church 
government arrangements, that he did not contemplate a 
total separation of his societies from the Church of England. 



L789-Age 38. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



133 



In process of time, however, when the body of the peo- 
ple became a large multitude, and America, having assumed 
her independence, had disseminated her principles much 
through England, the people lost a measure of their rigid 
regard for what might be termed strict orthodoxy : and this 
principle was gradually felt to have its influence through 
the Methodist societies in England. 

In the year 1785 Mr. Wesley had sent preachers to 
America, and in order to meet the wants of that continent, 
he constituted Dr. Coke, who was a presbyter of the 
Church of England, as superintendent of America; ap- 
pointing Mr. Richard Whatcoat, and Mr. Thomas Vasey, 
and afterward Mr. Francis Asbury, and authorizing them 
to act with Dr. Coke in the full pastoral office, to adminis- 
ter the holy sacraments, and also for setting apart such 
persons as they should deem fit, to minister in holy things 
among those people to whom they were themselves sent. 
The same plan Mr. Wesley adopted in reference to Scot- 
land, the desire there being equally strong for an ordained 
pastorship. * 

It was not, however, till near the close of Mr. Wesley's 
life (that is, the year 1789) that he ordained, by the impo- 
sition of hands, any of his preachers for England ; but then, 
perceiving that -the number of the people was great, and 
foreseeing also that possibly they might form themselves 
into a distinct body, and Christian church, though still in 
friendly connection with the Established Church, he, to 
meet the exigency of such a moment when it should arrive 
in England, ordained, by the imposition of hands, Mr. 
Alexander Mather and Mr. Henry Moore. 

The form of Mr. Moore's authority for assuming the 
pastorate is in the hand-writing of the Rev. James Creigh- 
ton, written on parchment, and runs thus, under the hand 
and seal of Mr. Wesley himself : — 



134 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1789-^lge 38. 



" Knott) all JUm bg fytst Pvtmxts, that I, John 

Wesley, late' Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford, 
Presbyter of the Church of England, did, on the day 
of the date hereof, by the imposition of my hands, and 
prayer, (being assisted by other ordained Ministers,) 
set apart Henry Moore, for the office of a Presbyter 
in the Church of God : a man whom I judge qualified 
to feed the flock of Christ, and to administer the 
Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, ac- 
cording to the usage of the Church of England, and 
as such, I do hereby recommend him to all whom it 
may concern. 

In testimox\y Whereof I have hereunto set my hand 
and seal this twenty-seventh day of February, in the 
year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Himdred and 
Eighty-nine. 

John Wesley. 

•present anD Slsststtng : 
The Reverend James Creighton, _ 
The Reverend Peard Dickenson, 

Presbyters of the Church of England." 

This step Mr. Wesley took from the conviction that he 
was appointed by God the head of that church which he 
had been the instrument of gathering out of the world, and 
of consolidating into an organized Christian body ; and that 
consequently, as such, he had the right of ordaining those 
whom he judged it meet to trust with the discretionary 
power of ordaining others, should that time arrive when 
its use should become expedient : and that as the Church 
of Rome owned its head, through that they professed to 
draw from the apostolic succession ; the Presbyterians 
theirs, from the practice of the primitive church, as ex- 
plained by their chief men ; and so Mr. Wesley argued, 
had the Methodist church a right to adopt a ministry, 



42. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE, 



135 



by the imposition of hands, among themselves ; and he, 
as the father of that religious community, could with 
fitness transmit from himself, under God, the power to 
ordain a Wesleyan succession, even to its most remote 
existence. 

On this subject Mr. Wesley thus argued with his son in 
the gospel, Mr. Moore : — 

" The power to call men to preach the gospel was with 
God alone : he only can make the prophetic office pow- 
erful to the conversion of souls. The office of pastor 
necessarily involved the existence of a flock — that is, a 
church, of professing Christians ; and with the superin- 
tendents of these churches remained the power of the choice 
of electing from among them such as should also join 
with the call of God the choice of his church, in order to 
administer among them those ordinances which Christ 
had left with his church, as a perpetual memorial of 
himself." 

It has been remarked, that at the conference of 1793 
the subject of this degree of separation between the Metho- 
dists and the Established Church, by the administration of 
the holy sacraments among themselves as a body, had 
created much disquietude ; and great difference of senti- 
ment on this point was found to exist among the Methodist 
societies at large : indeed, unanimity of opinion did not 
prevail even among the preachers themselves. The ques- 
tion was duly considered in the conference, when it came 
to this judicious conclusion, — " to have no alteration made 
on this point for that year." 

Such a consummation of things, though devoutly to have 
been wished, could scarcely hate been anticipated in a 
body of people recently gathered out, not only from other 
religious communities, but chiefly from the wilderness of 
the world ; — who had, till lately, " cared for none of these 
things," and whose natural prejudices might probably have 



136 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



previously rim high on political subjects, or else have re- 
ceived a strong educational bias ; such a state of things 
could have excited no surprise, while at the same time it 
was also a fruitful source of after disquietude, which de- 
manded no small share of judgment and kindly patience 
in those who took the guidance of such conflicting views 
and prejudices. 

We have seen that Mr. Moore laid great stress upon 
this Mr. Wesley's act of ordination of himself, and that he 
considered it qualified him for the full performing of the 
pastoral office among the Wesleyan Methodists. 

In later years he often mentioned it in conversation, as 
affording to his own mind confidence in the discharge of 
the full pastoral office, the administering the holy sacra- 
ments to his own people. 

When, in the year 1793, the disputes ran high in Bristol, 
especially relative to the administration of the sacraments 
by the Wesleyan preachers, a pamphlet was anonymously 
issued, opposing this " innovation," as it was termed, and 
directing its severity against all those preachers who, by 
adopting it, were believed to be against the church in- 
terests in the body of Methodism. To this pamphlet Mr. 
Moore replied, in vindication of himself and his brethren, 
giving a copy of the foregoing form of ordination of him- 
self by Mr. Wesley, qualifying him for the full discharge 
of the pastoral office, " when the time should come for its 
performance, that is — when the majority of the people 
desired the administration of the holy sacraments from 
their own preachers in their own chapels, and when there 
were no clergymen who would there administer them." 

The pamphlet referred to was entitled, Considerations 
on a Separation of the Methodists from the Established 
Church. Mr. Moore, by name, wrote A Reply, taking for 
his motto the following quotation from Locke's Essay on 
Toleration : — 



lT93-^e42. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



137 



" A church of Christ, I take to be a voluntary society 
of men, joining themselves together of their own accord ; 
in order to the public worshiping of God, in such manner 
as they judge acceptable to him, and effectual to the sal- 
vation of their souls." 

In this pamphlet, Mr. Moore, in addressing the author 
of the " Considerations," relative to the preceding form 
of his own ordination by Mr. Wesley, says : " Will the 
writer of the " Considerations," or his new friends, reply 
to this, that such ordination is nothing ? Will they dis- 
honor Mr. Wesley in order to condemn his sons in the 
gospel ? Will they deny the strong facts produced by Lord 
King, to prove that presbyters and bishops are of the same 
order 1 

" And are they prepared to maintain the consequence, 
that almost all the churches of Europe are no churches 
of Christ 1 And that those only are such who derive their 
authority from the Church of Rome ? Is this gentleman 
quite sure, that the Church of England has in reality any 
other ordination except that of presbyters ? 

" If it be granted that she has, I would ask, Where is the 
law that restrains ordination to the bishops, and denies that 
power to the presbyters ? If it be replied, The Canons 
restrain it ; I ask, Were the Canons ever confirmed by act 
of parliament, as the Liturgy, Articles, and Homilies were? 
If not, are they any part of the Church of England as 
by law established 1 I would also inquire, Who of the 
clergy observe those canons, or think they are bound in 
duty so to do ? 

" If this gentleman cannot give a satisfactory answer 
to these questions ; and if it appear that the Methodist 
preachers act in these things by Mr. Wesley's authority ; 
and in so doing conform to the Church of England, as 
much as the nature of the blessed work in which they are 
engaged will permit ; — then what becomes of all that is 



138 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1794-Jge 43. 



said, and upon which such stress is laid, in the pages 

which follow ? We are the ' friends of all, the enemies 

of none,' and thus we will proceed in the good old way." 

It may be here remarked, that all the departures from 
the established form of the religion of the realm were, in 
the days we are now speaking of, much fewer in number, 
and less strange in character, than they are at the present 
time ; and hence any variation was perhaps watched with 
a more jealous attention than it would now excite. Certain 
it is, that whatever was the cause, the disputes arising 
from it were greater, and more diversified, than the modes 
of escape from their injurious consequences were found to 
be ; while any plan for harmonizing these differences > 
was hailed by all parties with pleasing and hopeful an- 
ticipation. 

Such an effort was made by some of the leading men 
among the preachers, who knew the almost universal ob- 
jection felt by the people against the system of lay preach- 
ing among the Methodists, which appears to have given 
rise to the following circumstance, in which Mr. Moore 
himself took a prominent part. 

It has been remarked, that in the year 1785 Mr. Wesley 
had ordained the Rev. Dr. Coke superintendent of America, 
and the Rev. Richard Whatcoat, and the Rev. Thomas 
Vasey, as presbyters ; and had sent him and the other 
tried ministers over to that country, for the purpose of 
establishing a missionary work there, to result in a regu- 
lated Wesleyan church on that continent. Shortly after 
Dr. Coke's arrival in America, with the knowledge and 
full approbation of Mr. Wesley, he ordained the Rev. 
Francis Asbury as a superintendent also ; their Methodist 
hierarchy being governed by superintendents and presby- 
ters, who ordained deacons. 

After Mr. Wesley's death, Dr. Coke having again visited 
America, and seen how harmoniously and satisfactorily 



1794-Age43. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE, 



139 



this order of church government worked there, thought and 
spoke much in its favor in England ; and when the dis- 
putes, in many of the societies, became loud after the 
conference of 1793, he conversed at large with several of 
the preachers on the subject, who entered fully into his 
scheme of ordination. 

In the spring of 1794, Dr. Coke addressed a circular 
letter to the most influential men among the preachers, 
inviting them to meet him at Lichfield at a certain time, 
but he did not specify the object which he had in view ; 
of which some among the number invited were however 
aware ; while others of them were utterly ignorant of his 
design. In this latter number was Mr. Moore ; but on re- 
ceiving such an invitation, he, believing that it must have 
direct reference to the cause of Methodism, hesitated not 
to attend the summons. When the preachers, thus specially 
invited, were met together, Dr. Coke introduced the busi- 
ness of the meeting, by stating " the unhappy differences 
which existed in England, on the subject of the administra- 
tion of the holy sacrament in the Wesleyan chapels ; and 
which cause of offense was, in the estimation of many 
persons, increased by the want of ordination, by the impo- 
sition of hands, to the pastoral office;" and then he 
proceeded to state " the total absence of these evils, as 
existing in America; and which he believed resulted from 
the system of church government which the Wesleyans, 
as a Christian body, had there adopted ; that he believed 
the order of superintendents, presbyters, and deacons, was 
agreeable to the usage of the early Christian churches, 
and very suitable to good order in itself." Dr. Coke then 
proceeded " to propose that as he had himself been or- 
dained, by the imposition of hands by Mr. Wesley, to the 
full pastoral office for America ; so, he believed it desirable, 
that by virtue of his own ordination as superintendent, he 
should confer the office of presbyters on all his brethren 



140 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



present; which step he believed would be agreeable to the 
societies at large, and that they, being thus impowered, 
should be able to administer the holy sacraments." Most 
of the preachers present expressed their satisfaction at the 
proposed plan ; but when it came to Mr. Moore's turn to 
give his sentiments, he rose and said, " Though ordination 
by the imposition of hands was, he believed, in itself a 
true Scripture rite, and the office of presbyters and deacons 
a proper Scriptural distinction in the government of any 
Christian church ; yet, at the same time, he must oppose 
the adoption of it on the present occasion; for as Methodist 
preachers, they could take no step affecting the interests 
of Methodism, without first consulting the conference con- 
cerning its views and opinions on the subject, w T hile they 
regarded it as their supreme court, and acknowledged Mr. 
Wesley as their great founder." Mr. Moore concluded 
his observations by moving " that the question be left over 
till the ensuing conference." 

Mr. Alexander Mather followed on the same side, and, 
with much warmth of expression, denounced the proposed 
present ordination of presbyters and deacons as decidedly 
unmethodistical and wrong. 

The result was the giving up of the whole plan at pre- 
sent, referring it to the next assembling of the conference ; 
and then, on being brought before the preachers, it was 
treated as tending to create invidious distinctions between 
brethren ; and those who had attended the meeting were 
considered as aspirants after honor, and as wishing to be 
lords over God's heritage, contrary to the spirit which 
influenced the early members of that body. 

Thus was the question of ordination, by the imposition 
of hands, set aside then ; nor was it renewed for many 
years throughout the whole Methodist body. 

The subject of ordination was, however, but one among 
many points of the controversial interest of that day : the 



1194rAge43. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



141 



people began to be jealous of their rights, and the con- 
ference, having sanctioned some infringements on church 
discipline, they sought to obtain all the power resulting 
from the revolutionary principles, which they deemed them 
capable of bestowing. 

The Rev. George Whitefield had established a more 
popular mode of church government than Mr. Wesley ; he 
having settled all his chapels on trustees, who had also 
the appointment of the minister over the respective congre- 
gations assembling in them : on the contrary, Mr. Wesley 
had, with very few exceptions, the Methodist chapels 
vested in the conference ; for which latter mode of chapel 
settlement Mr. Moore was ever a warm advocate. 

The conference of 1794 was held in Bristol, in which 
city much uneasiness existed between the trustees and the 
people. Mr. Moore attended that conference, and so also 
did the Rev. Joseph Benson, both of whom had been 
requested to itinerate in that circuit after the conference. 
During the sittings of the conference, Mr. Benson had 
preached an excellent sermon upon schism,* from, " That 
there should be no schism in the body ; but that the mem- 
bers should have the same care one for another," (1 Cor. 
xii, 25,) which at the time made a deep impression on the 
people ; but, like the early dew, it was soon exhaled by 
the heat of party feeling, which speedily drank up its 
refreshing influence ; for before the conference was quite 
concluded, Mr. Benson, finding that in Bristol party dis- 
putes ran so high, determined in his own mind to take 
another circuit ; but as many of the preachers had left the 
conference ere he signified his intention, the comparatively 
few who remained objected to alter his previous appoint- 
ment to Bristol. 

Mr. Moore having only to remove from Bath, determined 

* Mr. Benson's sermon on schism was afterward published in the 
Methodist Magazine for August, 1798. 



142 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1794-Age 43- 



on not returning there, but remained in Bristol, where 
Mrs. Moore shortly after joined him. 

The Methodist chapel in Broad Mead, Bristol, was the 
first chapel built by Mr. Wesley, and over it during his life 
he had an absolute power; but, after his decease, this right 
devolved upon trustees, who no sooner became aware of 
Mr. Moore's views in reference to the administration of the 
holy sacrament, by the preachers, in the chapels where 
the people desired it, than they determined to resist his 
preaching at all in the one under their trust. On finding 
how high this party question ran, Mr. Moore became 
anxious to leave the circuit, or at any rate, if he remained, 
not to take any decisive step till the arrival of his coadjutor, 
the Rev. Joseph Benson. 

This determination was, however, overruled, by the 
trustees of the Broad Mead chapel sending Mr. Moore, the 
Monday after the conclusion of the conference, on which 
day he had been appointed to preach in that chapel, a legal 
notice to the effect that the chapel was bona fide theirs, 
and that they were resolved Mr. Moore should not at 
all officiate upon their premises. On receiving this notice, 
Mr. Moore became increasingly anxious for the arrival of 
Mr. Benson; but he was soon relieved from his perplexity. 
The people, hearing on the same day of the steps which 
the trustees had taken, the whole body of the leaders, and 
the other official men of the society, went to Mr. Moore, 
and endeavored to dissuade him from leaving his post, 
saying, " His going would make a greater division in the 
society by far, than would result from his remaining, for 
they would remain with him to a man, being determined 
not to submit to one chapel ruling the whole circuit," add- 
ing also, " that the body of the people were likewise 
resolute upon the same point." This interview induced 
Mr. Moore to go in person to the Broad Mead chapel, in 
the regular course of his duty. When he arrived there, 



mi-Age 43. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



143 



he found the trustees themselves in the pulpit, though he 
had previously informed them that he should not officiate 
upon their premises contrary to their will and their power to 
restrain him. Mr. Moore quietly begged " that the trustees 
would not give themselves any trouble, for that he had no 
intention of preaching upon their premises ; that he did not 
dispute their power to prevent him from officiating upon 
them, but that, before he yielded to the right which they 
had thus assumed, he felt it his duty to explain to the 
people the causes for which the trustees had refused to 
allow him to preach in that chapel." Having in substance 
given these reasons for the opposition of the trustees, Mr. 
Moore proceeded to remind them, " that their resistance 
was an open renunciation of the authority of the con- 
ference, which had appointed him to preach in that chapel, 
as well as in every other in the circuit ; but out of respect 
to its authority, he had thus come to appear at his post, 
and to show his own willingness to abide by his duty." 

After this address, Mr. Moore, taking the attorney's 
letter from his pocket, read it aloud to the large congre- 
gation assembled, and in a firm voice added, — " Though 
they, the trustees, had the power to prevent from preach- 
ing upon their premises, yet they had not the power to 
restrain him from administering the gospel of the grace 
of God, and therefore he should immediately proceed up 
the hill to Portland chapel, where the word of God was 
not bound." So saying, he turned and left the chapel, 
followed by the great concourse of people to Portland 
chapel ; not twenty individuals remaining to hear the 
preacher the trustees had appointed to preach in the Broad 
Mead chapel. 

It Avas a fortnight after this event before Mr. Benson 
arrived in Bristol, when Mr. Moore laid the whole business 
before him ; but he, being on the high-church side, re- 
solved to abide by the trustees in what they had done, 



144 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1794-^tge43. 



leaving the final issue to the determination of the con- 
ference. Upon this Mr. Moore resolved to summon a 
district meeting, which accordingly met, and after entering 
into the whole transaction, they came to the conclusion 
of approving the whole of Mr. Moore's conduct in the 
affair : this commendation was carried by the voices of 
the whole district, with the exception of Mr. Benson's and 
two of his colleagues ! Mr. Moore felt much for this 
grievous contention, and sought to put an end to it, by 
proposing to Mr. Benson, in the presence of his colleagues, 
" to leave Bristol himself altogether, if he would leave the 
Broad Mead chapel, if the trustees persisted in the oppo- 
sition they had begun." This Mr. Benson absolutely 
refused to do, which resolution determined Mr. Moore to 
abide at his post, and to take care of the spiritual interests 
of the other part of the circuit. The work of God pros- 
pered under his ministerial labors, and those of his brethren 
who helped him ; especially his excellent brother-in-law, 
the late Rev. Thomas Rutherford, and the late Rev. Dr. 
Adam Clarke, who united with Mr. Moore in assisting to 
keep the Bristol society entire ; and in circumstances 
which enabled them to erect a large and handsome chapel, 
which, from the occurrence above stated, was named 
Eben-Ezer chapel ! 

Shortly after these events, the subject of these disputes 
began to agitate the public mind ; the high-church party 
espousing the side of the trustees. Pamphlets were 
written, and recriminations aboimded : among these was 
one from the pen of the late learned and excellent Alex- 
ander Knox, Esq. This gentleman had been a personal 
friend of Mr. Wesley, and it was at his father's house in 
T ;ry that Mr. Wesley used to take up his abode when 
visiting that part of Ireland: Mr. Knox was also much 
attached to, and a friend of, Mr. Moore : but alas ! party 
spirit for the time being knows no friend. 



I195-Age4i. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



145 



Mr. Knox's high-church sentiments led him to espouse 
the side of the Bristol trustees ; and he wrote a pamphlet 
against the views Mr. Moore had taken on the subject : to 
which Mr. Moore replied. Some time afterward, Mr. 
Knox being in London, where Mr. Moore was then attend- 
ing the conference, the two quondam friends met in the 
street, when Mr. Knox cordially taking Mr. Moore's hand, 
said with much feeling, " Mr. Moore, I have to ask your 
pardon, and to make my apology to you for having written 
against you." To this Mr. Moore promptly replied, " As 
we mutually took up the sword, let me also, Mr. Knox, 
join you in the apology, and be our forgiveness mutual." 
" That is unnecessary," replied the good man ; " I took 
up the sword voluntarily, and drew it against my friend : 
I needed not to have meddled with the subject ; I had no 
knowledge of the trustees ; but I knew you too well to 
have done what I did thus unnecessarily : are we friends ?" 
It is only a truly great and generous mind that can say — 
I have done wrong. 

Mr. Alexander Knox was a man of very eminent powers 
of mind and literary attainments, as well as of deep reli- 
gious feeling : it is only the mind thus imbued that can 
acknowledge its fault, in circumstances like the foregoing. 

At the conference of 1795 the Rev. Joseph Bradford 
was chosen president, and Dr. Coke secretary. Mr. 
Benson, who had seen and felt the painful consequences 
of party politics on the peace and usefulness of a minister 
of the gospel, was the first man appointed by the con- 
ference to preach before that body : he took for his text, 
" Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond 
of peace." Eph. iv, 3. In his sermon he strongly insisted 
on the evil arising from not " endeavoring to keep the 
unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace ;" and, with all the 
force of his very eminent talents, he recommended peace 
and brotherly love ; indeed, it was pretty generally felt 

7 



146 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1795-Age 44. 



among the preachers, that the time was come when some 
plan should be adopted in order to appease the varied 
discontents of the people. On the assembling of the con- 
ference, the following day was appointed for solemn prayer 
and fasting, which was kept in imploring the divine 
guidance in whatever plan should be suggested and 
adopted for the furtherance of peace and of good will 
between the preachers and the people. On that day the 
conference chose by ballot a committee of nine persons, 
of which number Mr. Moore was one, to draw up what was 
termed, and what it was intended its spirit should be, — A 
Plan of Pacification; in the terms of which it was desired 
that the preachers and the people should mutually agree. 
This Plan of Pacification regarded the administration of 
the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's supper, and the 
burial of the dead, for the future to pertain to the office of 
the Wesleyan ministry : to these were added the permis- 
sion to preach in church hours. All these additions the 
Plan of Pacification ceded to the people, at their request, 
in all such chapels as earnestly desired them ; but they 
were not enjoined on such societies, or on any individuals, 
who wished to adhere to the administration of these sacred 
rights as heretofore administered in the Established Church, 
rather than receive these special services from their own 
immediate preachers. The other regulations and pro- 
visions of this pacificatory measure related chiefly to the 
Methodist discipline among themselves as a body; and 
fixed the rules for the direction and observances of the 
local authorities in the respective societies. The pro- 
posed Plan of Pacification was drawn out, and, when brought 
up for the approval and sanction of the conference, was 
unanimously adopted. 

In a short time it was found that, though it had satisfied 
the many, it did not come up to the desire of some few, 
who loudly complained, and set themselves in determined 



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opposition to every merely conciliatory measure ; and at 
once proceeded to form a party to oppose, not only what 
they termed the late half-measures, but also some of the 
leading features in the economy of the government of the 
Methodist body. 

Among the number of the disaffected, and the grand 
originator of the whole scheme, was an itinerant preacher 
— Mr. Alexander Kilham. He had published several 
pamphlets on Methodist discipline in its ecclesiastical 
government ; his views he had been probably led to adopt 
from his very liberal political sentiments, and which he 
wished carried out into the constitution of the conference, 
and the control of the several societies. A judgment on 
this subject may be formed from a perusal of the following 
letter from the Rev. Thomas Rutherford to two of his 
friends at Newcastle, who had imbibed the spirit of the 
party; written by that excellent man in consequence of 
seeing the names of these two gentlemen affixed to An 
Address issued in print, as the result of a meeting held 
in Newcastle, in the spring of 1796, by several of the 
Methodist friends who had entertained the views of Mr. 
Kilham; and, entering into his scheme of church polity, 
had been led away by specious reasonings from that loving 
simplicity of the gospel of Christ in which Mr. Rutherford 
left them walking when he had ministered among them in 
holy things. The letter is as follows : — 

Manchester, April 7, 1796. 
My Dear Brethren, — On Sunday, March 20th, I saw 
the printed Address from Newcastle, and must confess I 
was sorry to see your names among those who had signed 
it. I cannot for a moment suppose that you are not the 
men of peace and love (particularly to the preachers) you 
have been for these thirty years ; I believe you are just 
the same, and I trust you will continue the same till your 



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1796-^e 45. 



spirits return to God. But poor restless Mr. Kilham, and 
others of your friends whom I know you highly esteem 
and love, (as I also do,) have prevailed on you to do what, 
in my opinion, you had far better had nothing to do with. 

You are not Methodists of yesterday : you have thank- 
fully received the preachers, and have thought it your 
honor and happiness to entertain them since the year 1766 ; 
and when did they attempt to treat you, or the society to 
which you belong, " as irrational beings ?" " When, or in 
what, have they ruled you without consulting you ?" 
Brethren, I entreat you, judge for yourselves, and do not 
let any, either by smooth insinuations or bold assertions, 
persuade you contrary to plain and long-tried matter of fact, 
that these things are so, and that the only " two precedents 
which countenance" the power that the preachers exercise 
over the people are, " the Papal authority," and " tyrannical 
civil governments." Do not let any make you believe that 
" disorder and death " will swallow you up unless you 
adopt Mr. Kilham's extravagant and ridiculous plan, or 
that suggested in the Address you have signed. Do not, 
I beseech you, let the blairing of Mr. Kilham's imaginary 
calf, the roaring of his lion, or the bellowing and foaming 
of his painted bull,* frighten you ; nor the insinuations 
which he has so liberally thrown out against the preachers 
make you conclude that we are a set of villains not fit to 
be trusted with a shilling, and that the conference is u a 
house of popes," who want to dupe and enslave the people. 

I have known the Methodist preachers and the Metho- 
dist Conference longer than Mr. Kilham has, and I am 
certain they are no such men, and have no such design. 
Their design now is just what it was from the beginning ; 
namely — to save their own souls, and those that hear them, 
and to do this in the best and most Scriptural manner they 

* Mr. Kilham dealt much in these figures. 



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149 



can. If they have any other design, I solemnly declare, 
I am an utter stranger to it. But I am sure they have not. 

O, but it will be said, I am wide of the point : it is not 
the preachers, but the rules, which are the cause of all the 
evils complained of, and which threaten us with " disorder 
and death." Hence, the authors of the Address tell us, — 
" Though, we have said, the Methodist preachers rule 
their people without consulting them, we speak this of the 
rules." I suppose they mean that the rules rule the 
people without consulting them ! What are these rules % 
Just the same they were from the beginning. The society 
rules, the band rules, and the general minutes, are the 
same. These form what they call " an anti- scriptural and 
oppressive system, to which may be attributed all the evils 
complained of." But who was it that formed, and for fifty 
years supported and enforced, " this anti-scriptural and op- 
pressive system ?" Why, it was Mr. Wesley. Now we 
all know, yea, and all England knows, that he was one of 
the wisest and greatest men of the age in which he lived. 
But according to the Address, what sort of a wise and 
great man must he have been, who deliberately, and in the 
name of the Lord, planned, and to the last day of his life 
enforced, this " anti-scriptural and oppressive system," and 
who continually declared, that it was agreeable to the word 
of God and the example of the primitive church, and that 
he was led to adopt it by the openings of divine provi- 
dence ; I ask, what sort of a wise and great man must he 
have been who acted such a part ? I shall leave the 
authors of the Address to answer this question, and pro- 
ceed to inquire, 

What have been the fruits of those rules according to 
which the Methodists have been governed for above half 
a century 1 for " by their fruits ye shall know them," and 
not by their being called " anti-scriptural and oppressive." 

The fruits thereof have been, — 



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1796-Age 45, 



First. One of the greatest, the deepest, the clearest, 
the most Scriptural, the most extensive, and the most 
lasting revivals of real religion, that has been known in the 
world since the primitive days, or at least since the Refor- 
mation ; a revival which has spread not only through 
England, Ireland, and Scotland, but through the continent 
of America, the West Indies, and even to the coast of 
Africa. 

Second. Thousands and tens of thousands, who have 
been, and tens of thousands who now are, the subjects of 
this glorious revival, have been, and are, patterns of good 
works, eminent for holiness and happiness, ornaments 
both of civil and religious society, in every relation, call- 
ing, and rank of life. Yea, and the more faithfully these 
rules have been enforced, the more strictly they have been 
observed, so much the more have all these fruits abounded. 

All this is matter of fact ; let the authors of the Address 
deny it if they can. 

Now if the rules be what they say they are, namely — 
" anti-scriptural and oppressive " — is it not very extraordi- 
nary that they should be productive of such excellent fruit ? 
At this rate, it seems we have, from the beginning to this 
day, " gathered grapes of thorns, and figs of thistles ;" and 
that a corrupt tree has produced a continued and an in- 
creasing profusion of the best fruit that ever was reaped 
upon the earth. 

But the plain truth of the matter is, that the rules and 
economy of Methodism are neither " anti-scriptural " nor 
" oppressive ;" that " the Methodist preachers " do not 
" rule over the people without consulting them," and that 
" the present existing rules of conference " do not require 
that they should, but just the contrary, as I shall immedi- 
ately prove. 

First. We consult the people and leaders on the admis- 
sion of members into society. When persons come to us 



m&-Age 45. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



151 



declaring they have a desire to " flee from the wrath to 
come," and want to be admitted into society, we appoint 
them to meet with such and such leaders, for three or four 
weeks, and according to the account which these leaders, 
and the people they have met with, give of them, we admit 
them on trial, receive them into society, or reject them, 
and without taking these steps, we cannot be faithful to 
our rules. 

Second. " It has been our general custom never to ap- 
point or remove a leader or steward, without consulting the 
leaders and stewards of the society ; and we are resolved 
to walk by the same rule." The above is one of the arti- 
cles for pacification, and a " present existing rule " and 
resolution " of conference." 

Third. So far are " the conference from being determined 
to do their own way, and not wishing to consult the peo- 
ple, or striving to act independently of them," as the 
authors of the Address make the people say they are ; that, 
on the contrary, " we have in some degree deposited our 
characters and usefulness in their hands, or in the hands 
of their representatives, by making them the judges of our 
morals, doctrines, and gifts." I refer you to the second 
article of the Plan of Pacification, concerning discipline, 
which also is one of " the present existing rules of the 
conference." 

Fourth. We consult the people concerning every collec- 
tion which we make, acquainting them fully, before we 
make it, with the design thereof. And all the money we 
collect, whether for the poor, or carrying on the work of 
God, is distributed by the stewards and leaders. The 
money collected in each circuit for the yearly collection, 
for Kingswood school, and for the preachers' fund, must be 
entered in the general steward's book. See the Minutes 
of the last conference, page 36. This is a " present ex- 
isting rule of conference." 



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LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



m6-Age 45. 



Fifth. With regard to the preachers, both local and travel- 
ing, no people have such an opportunity of knowing, judg- 
ing of, and declaring their sentiments concerning their 
preachers, as the Methodists everywhere have. To say 
nothing of what they pass through as local preachers, every 
traveling preacher is four years, or at the very least three 
years and nine months, before he can be received into full 
connection. And why is all this caution? Is it that 
preachers " may be smuggled into the connection ?" Is there 
such caution as this used with any other set of ministers in 
Great Britain? I believe not. Is it possible, according to 
this plan, for preachers to " be smuggled into connection ?" 
This is a new, and a very curious method of smuggling 
indeed ! to expose men all through the kingdom, and often 
through various parts of the three kingdoms, for four years 
successively. Meantime, every district stands engaged, 
not only to hear and consider any complaint which may be 
brought against those on trial, but also against any preacher 
in the connection : for " if the majority of the trustees, or 
the majority of the stewards and leaders of any society, 
believe that any preacher appointed for their circuit is im- 
moral, erroneous in his doctrines, or deficient in abilities, 
they have authority to summon the preachers of the district, 
and all the trustees, stewards, and leaders in the circuit : 
and if the majority of the meeting judge that the accused 
preacher is immoral, erroneous in doctrine, or deficient in 
abilities, he is to be removed from the circuit, and another 
appointed in his place till the conference." This is the 
second article concerning discipline, and also a " present 
existing rule of conference." 

Now, if all this " be smuggling preachers into connec- 
tion," I should be glad to know what is fair, honest, open 
dealing. And I wonder how many " ignorant and worldly- 
minded preachers" would submit to be thus smuggled, in 
order to " be authorized to appoint others ?" 



1796- Age 45. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



153 



From the above it is evident, that the preachers now 
have as full " an opportunity of proving the purity of their 
designs as the first preachers had, and more so ; as they 
were but one year on trial, and not subject to be judged 
by trustees, stewards, and leaders, as the preachers 
now are. 

The authors of the Address give the conference to un- 
derstand what they may expect, in case they should not 
adopt the measures they have suggested. " If," say they, 
" every circuit were to determine, that the preachers' fund, 
the ticket money, the yearly and Kingswood collections, 
shall be kept in the hands of the town and circuit stewards ; 
that no person shall lead a class, or enter a pulpit, till he 
has the approbation of a majority of the leaders and quar- 
terly meetings ; that if any man be sent as a traveling 
preacher to any circuit, without the consent of such a 
majority, the person sent out, and the' preacher who has 
recommended him, shall be publicly branded as enemies 
to the whole of the connection, and especially to the place 
where he is appointed to travel : should the people once 
determine to use this power, who can hinder them ?" 
Now this is a broad hint ! And to be sure it is the way to 
" make preachers and people one for ever ! !" 

However, before the people in any circuit carry into ex- 
ecution the measures which are here so plainly pointed out 
to them ; before they discard the conference, and renounce 
their authority ; before they shut their doors against the 
preachers, and " brand them as public enemies to the whole 
connection," I hope, for their own sake, they will consider 
and duly weigh two things. 

First. What they are likely to gain by the change. 
Whether " leaders and quarterly meetings " are likely to 
govern them, and manage the various things belonging to 
the work of God in the different societies, with greater 
impartiality, and regard to the good of the whole, than the 
7* 



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LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1796- Age 45. 



preachers do ; and whether it is probable that they will 
more tenderly, or even equally care for them, and labor as 
faithfully to promote their spiritual and eternal interest, as 
those have done and are likely to do, who, under God, have 
been the instruments of bringing far the greatest part of 
them to the knowledge of the truth, — have fed them with 
the sincere milk of the word, and for many years watched 
over them in love, and whose "joy and crown of rejoicing 
they are in the Lord." I hope the people will duly con- 
sider these particulars : for it appears to me that their 
happiness, and the very existence of the work of God 
among the Methodists, are deeply concerned therein, and 
require it at their hands. 

Second. I hope they will carefully examine, and impar- 
tially consider, all " the present existing rules of confer- 
ence :" and I am persuaded when they have done so, they 
will not call our system of government " anti-scriptural and 
oppressive :" they will not say, that " it is contrary to the 
natural order of society ;" and that the only " two prece- 
dents which they know of to countenance it are, — the 
Papal authority, and tyrannical civil governments ;" that the 
Methodist preachers " treat their people as irrational be- 
ings ;" and that " at present all is doubt, darkness, and 
distrust." No ; they will not say so : and consequently 
will not take the steps mentioned in the above paragraph 
of the Address ; for they will see that they have no just 
cause so to do, and therefore, that they could not answer 
« for such conduct, and its consequences, before the " great 
Shepherd and Bishop of their souls." 

Perhaps you will ask, But do not " these three evils 
threaten us — an increase of a worldly spirit ; divisions in 
the societies ; and want of love to the preachers ?" I be- 
lieve they do : but I also believe that they proceed from a 
very different cause, or causes, to what they are ascribed 
to in the Address. I am certain, that our rules are so far 



1796- Age 45. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



155 



from being the cause of them, that I will engage, let but 
the preachers, the leaders, stewards, trustees, and all our 
people, faithfully keep our rules, and, by the blessing of 
God, they will effectually remove, and for ever keep from 
among us, all these evils. I dare venture the whole matter 
upon this issue : and am confident, whenever the Metho- 
dists give it a fair trial, they will find it to be a sovereign 
remedy for every branch of the disease. 

We will then no longer " be conformed to this world," 
nor " love the world, or the things of the world ; but being 
risen with Christ, we will set our affections on things above, 
and not on things on the earth : we will esteem the reproach 
of Christ greater riches than all the treasures of this world." 
Divisions will vanish from the societies, and the voice of 
discord not be heard in all our borders. If we have any 
contention, it will not be for the highest place, and who of 
us shall be the greatest ; but for the lowest place, and who 
shall be the least. We shall love as brethren, and " do 
nothing through strife or vain glory ;" but " bear one 
another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." The 
preachers, like their Lord, will go about doing good : and, 
like his blessed apostles, be willing to spend and be spent 
in his service. And the people, far from being suspicious 
and jealous of them, as though they were cunning and 
designing men, who want to be lords over God's heritage, 
will " highly esteem them in love for their work's sake," 
and gladly obey them, knowing " that they watch for their 
souls, as they that must give account." 

I believe, therefore, that the grand cause of the evils 
mentioned is, — our having departed from the spirit and 
practice of our rules ; and that Mr. Kilham's publications, 
and the Newcastle Address, are calculated greatly to in- 
crease all those evils. I have no doubt, but whenever 
they are received, "a worldly spirit" will be promoted; 
" divisions in the societies" will increase ; and " want of 



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UQG-Age 45. 



love to the preachers " will abound more and more. I am, 
indeed, far from thinking the authors of the Address in- 
tended it should have this effect ; but whatever was their 
intention, I am persuaded time will show (if it has not 
done so already) that I am not mistaken. 

Do not imagine, my dear brethren, from what I have 
said, that I think our rules and system of economy are so 
complete that they cannot be improved : I do not. How- 
ever, I think I have proved from the rules, that we more 
than " virtually " consult our people ; and, consequently, 
that they are not less consulted than the primitive Chris- 
tians : and before the authors of the Address can prove the 
contrary, they must produce other texts of Scripture than 
those they have referred to. I have proved from " the 
present existing rules of the conference," that the preachers 
are not only bound to consult the leaders and stewards, 
but that the preachers in each circuit are liable to be called 
to an account and to be judged by them, in case a ma- 
jority of the leaders and stewards in any society bring a 
charge against any of them. 

In my opinion, it is right and necessary that the preachers 
should consult the people and the leaders in the reception 
of members ; the leaders and stewards, in the appointment 
or removal of them ; and leaders, local preachers, and 
quarterly meetings, in the appointment of local preachers, 
and such as are recommended to travel. The more that 
things are done by mutual consent, so much the more will 
mutual confidence and love prevail among us. 

My dear brethren, I have written my sentiments freely 
to you on the subject of the Address, because I greatly 
love you, and wish you to be preserved from having any- 
thing to do in the present commotions, which I understand 
run very high in your part of the kingdom. But as you 
have already been drawn in, and have also a preacher of 
Mr. Kilham's principles and spirit to deal with, who, 



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157 



doubtless, will exert all his influence to get the people in 
every society to admire and support his wild scheme, if you 
mean for the future to keep yourselves free, you must be 
resolute. And, however much at the present you may be 
blamed for thus acting, you will find it most for your peace 
and comfort, and be thankful by and by that you took my 
advice. Consult with Mr. Hunter, your old tried friend 
and father. I am, my dear brethren, 

Yours, &c, 

T. Rutherford. 

The occasion of the foregoing letter was this : — Mr. A. 
Kilham was stationed that year in the north of England. 
He made many converts there to his wild scheme, and at 
length a number of them met at Newcastle, and published 
from thence An Address to the people. Mr. Rutherford 
was a Cumberland or Northumberland man, and Messrs. 
William and Jacob Cooke, to whom the letter was ad- 
dressed, were friends of his, and their names were affixed 
to the Address referred to. 

At the ensuing conference of 1796, the Rev. Thomas 
Taylor was chosen president, and Dr. Coke secretary. 
Mr. Kilham was cited to appear before this conference to 
show cause why he had, both in public and private, as 
well as in several pamphlets, brought such heavy charges 
against not only the preachers, but the conference itself ; 
thereby exciting a spirit of disaffection, while at the same 
time he retained a name and a place among those very 
men he was so diligently laboring to asperse. In the 
proceedings on this business, Mr. Moore took a part, and 
in a letter from the conference to Mrs. Moore, he thus 
writes : — 

London, July, 1796. 
On the first day of the meeting of the conference, after 
the election of the president and secretary, the first busi- 



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1796- Age 45. 



ness brought forward was that of Mr. Kilham. Mr. 
Alexander Mather having rose, asked, " Is Mr. Alexander 
Kilham here ?" The reply being in the affirmative, he 
resumed, " Before we proceed to business I wish, by per- 
mission of the president, to put a few questions to Mr. 
Kilham." The request being granted, Mr. Mather pro- 
posed to Mr. Kilham the following questions : " How 
long is it since you were received into full connection?" 
" Eleven years." " Who received you ?" " Mr. Wesley." 
" Did he not at the same time give you a copy of the large 
Minutes with these words written on them, and signed by 
himself, ' As long as you walk by these rules we shall 
rejoice to receive you as a fellow-laborer V " " He did so." 
" Do you retract that agreement, or covenant ?" " I desire 
time to consider that question." Then Mr. Mather, ad- 
dressing the president, said, " Sir, if you have no objection 
to grant Mr. Kilham his request, I have none ; but I would 
suggest, that after what Mr. Kilham has published against 
our rules, that he withdraw till he has answered the 
question." 

This proposition was unanimously agreed to, and Mr. 
Kilham retired till the following morning, when he de- 
livered in a written paper, which was a mere recapitu- 
lation of several charges contained in his pamphlets, but 
not a reply to the charges brought against him by the 
conference, (nor any answer to Mr. Mather's question,) 
which charges had been handed to him personally by the 
late Dr. Adam Clarke. Before this paper of Mr. Kilham's 
was read, the following motion was made in the con- 
ference, and unanimously agreed to, " That the conference 
confirm the engagement entered into at Manchester, in 
1791 ; viz. — to abide by the plan Mr. Wesley had left, and 
the rules contained in the large Minutes, both with respect 
to doctrine and discipline." 



1796-Age 45. 



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159 



This motion being carried, Mr. Kilham was then asked 
if he also agreed ; he replied, " I agree to them as far as 
they are agreeable with Scripture :" to which vague 
answer I rejoined, " We all agree with the Koran of 
Mohammed with the same limitation, viz., as far as it is 
agreeable to Scripture ; but we agree to these rules be- 
cause we believe them to be agreeable with Scripture." 
To this remark Mr. Kilham offered no reply. The secre- 
tary, Dr. Coke, then read over the articles taken from Mr. 
Kilham's various publications, as charges which he makes 
against the preachers, and the system of church govern- 
ment ; to the former he gave vague answers, and to the 
latter he raised objections in accordance with his own 
more liberal political sentiments. All these matters occu- 
pied a great deal of the time of the conference, and after 
they had been patiently gone into with Mr. Kilham, he 
was then desired to withdraw, and the conference having 
considered the case, ordered — " That any letters sent in 
Mr. Kilham's favor should be read, but that no letters 
against him, in reference to the new rules or plans which 
he desired to introduce, should be read." This was ac- 
cordingly done. 

The charges against the preachers by Mr. Kilham 
were then read over, and pronounced " Unproved and 
slanderous." The following motion was then made in the 
conference : — 

" Whereas Mr. Kilham has brought several charges 
against Mr. Wesley, and the body of the preachers, of a 
slanderous and criminal nature, which charges he declared 
he could prove, and which, upon examination, he could not 
prove even one of them ; and also considering the disunion 
and strife which he has occasioned in many of the so- 
cieties ; we adjudge him unworthy of being a member of 
the Methodist connection." 



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1796-Age 45. 



This decision was carried unanimously. Mr. Kilham 
was then called in, and the judgment of the conference 
was read to him. 

Thus the business of Mr. Kilham is ended, unless he 
repent, which would rejoice my poor heart ; but of which 
there is no prospect at present : it has been a painful 
matter, but the preachers have been thoroughly " as the 
heart of one man." 

It appears that the conference printed a circular giving 
an abstract of Mr. Kilham's case, and the judgment passed 
upon him, which was addressed " To the brethren and 
friends of the Methodist connection," and circulated 
throughout the body, signed by the president and secre- 
tary. 



1796-Age45. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 161 



BOOK IV. 

FROM MR. KILHAM'S TRIAL TO MR. MOORE'S LEAVING 
LIVERPOOL. 

[1796—1803.] 

While the interests of religion were occupying the 
attention of Mr. Moore, he did not at the same time fail 
to cultivate those social affections which give life and 
energy to the heart ; indeed, the sociability of his character 
was ever prominent throughout the whole course of his life. 

It has been remarked, that Mr. Moore left his native 
country (Ireland) at the summons of Mr. Wesley, in order 
to fulfill his ministerial calling in England, as early as the 
year 1784. He left the place of his birth, and the scene 
of his youthful remembrances, however, with feelings of 
regret, (as he has expressed himself in his former narra- 
tive.) For some years previously to his leaving Ireland, 
he had formed some religious friendships, which it cost 
him much pain personally to relinquish ; but he had dedi- 
cated, in holy consecration, his whole self unto God, and 
his affections as well as his sense of duty had said, through 
his entire soul, " Here am I, send me :" the live coal from 
off the altar of the Lord had touched his lips, and spread 
its hallowing influence on his heart, and thus led him out 
not only to do, but to suffer, the will of his heavenly Father. 
But though called to remove from the circle of his rela- 
tives and friends, his spirit carried with it the liveliest 
remembrances of the past, and often, by such reminiscences 
and frequent epistolary communications, he was enabled 
to connect the interesting chain in the history of the past 
with his present duties and new obligations. 

The following pages will refer to some of these religious 



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1196- Age 45. 



and social friendships, forming details of the most pleasing 
character. One of these connections has already been 
glanced at, in Mr. Moore's intimacy with the family of the 
late Alexander Knox, Esq., who was a learned and intel- 
lectual man, and a conscientious Christian ; which is 
evinced by his Thirty Years' Correspondence with Bishop 
Jebb, lately published. 

Another early friend, and frequent correspondent of Mr. 
Moore, was, Mrs. Theodosia Blachford, whose mother, 
Lady Ann Tighe, was eldest daughter of the earl of Glen- 
dore. Among the eminent ancestors of this gifted lady 
was the celebrated Lord Clarendon, the historian. Lady 
Ann married a rich commoner, Henry Tighe, Esq., of 
Rossana, in the county of Wicklow, who was himself a 
member of parliament for the county, and returned four 
other members, through two boroughs which he possessed, 
to seats in the Irish parliament : these boroughs were 
purchased at the time of the union, with several others 
thus compromised for, in order to their perpetual abolition. 
Mr. and Lady Ann Tighe's daughter, Theodosia, married 
the Rev. John Blachford, a clergyman and a gentleman, 
of large independent property, who, on account of his va- 
rious learning, was constituted the librarian of St. Patrick's 
Library in Dublin. This library chiefly consists of a col- 
lection of the learning of the sixteenth century, contributed 
for the most part by Archbishop Usher and Bishop Bedel. 
The latter prelate was the first to give the Irish a Bible, 
printed in their mother tongue, and in the ancient charac- 
ters of their country. During the time the Rev. John 
Blachford's predecessor held the office, the library had 
been much neglected, and the books and manuscripts had 
been suffered to fall into decay ; indeed, the library-room, 
which is a handsome structure, in the form of the capital 
letter L, had, during part of that period, been turned into 
a laundry, and consequently, the decayed and perishing 



\1U-Age 43. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



163 



condition of the manuscripts and books may be easily- 
imagined. But this was not the only evil resulting from 
this system of things : Mr. Blachford found that many of 
the books belonging to the library had been stolen ; and 
no sooner was he aware of this evil, than he set himself 
diligently to search, in order to recover the documents and 
books thus missing, and succeeded in tracing and buying 
up a multitude of them from the book stalls in Dublin and 
its vicinity. 

Mr. Blachford successfully exerted himself in restoring 
and putting the library into good order, and had the books 
well cleaned twice a year. 

A malignant fever carried off this excellent man in the 
prime of his life ; leaving a widow and two children, John 
and Mary, to deplore the death of the husband, guide, and 
father. He died with a hope full of immortality and 
eternal life. 

The trust of bringing up these children fell upon no 
ordinary character : their mother, Mrs. Blachford, was a 
lady of strong sense, of a well-cultivated mind, and of 
unaffected piety. 

That Mr. Wesley had a high respect for this lady, 
appears from a letter he wrote to Mr. Moore some years 
previously, in which he refers to some uneasinesses which 
had occurred in the Dublin society. The letter was ad- 
dressed to Mr. Moore, at the new room, near that city, 
where he was then stationed, and reads thus : — 

Near Newcastle, June 7, 1788. 
Dear Henry, — I incline to think the battle is over, and 
you will have peace ; provided none of you return railing 
for railing, but contrarywise blessing : beware of showing 

any coolness to . You must conquer him by love. 

I am glad you have not lost Mrs. Blachford : she is one 
of our jewels : I love her much. Now use your influence 



164 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1794- Age 43. 



in prevailing on our people to attend on the sacrament at 
St. Patrick's monthly. 

I am, my dear Henry, your attached friend and bro- 
ther, J. Wesley. 

During the minority of her children, Mrs. Blachford 
managed their patrimony so well, that after sparing nothing 
from their suitable education, her son, on coming of age, 
entered upon his father's estates not only unencumbered, 
but with a fortune to render their possession desirable. He 
shortly afterward visited the continent, where he married 
a young maid of honor of the empress of Austria, by whom 
he had two sons, one of whom survived him : ultimately 
this marriage proved an unfortunate one ; and he afterward 
espoused a daughter of that celebrated orator and states- 
man, Henry Grattan, Esq. 

His dearly loved sister, Mary Blachford, married her 
cousin, Henry Tighe, Esq., M. P. 

This lady was remarkable for the beauty of her person, 
the fascination of her manners, and her high mental culti- 
vation ; she composed many beautiful poems, — and among 
them a most exquisite and celebrated allegorical poem, 
called Psyche. For many years it remained unpublished, 
but Mr. Tighe had it subsequently printed for private cir- 
culation among her friends. A copy of this early edition, 
in a beautiful miniature quarto, Mrs. Tighe gave to Mr. 
Moore, to whom she was personally much attached, which 
she thus inscribed : " To Henry Moore, from his obliged 
and affectionate Mary Tighe." 

A poem like that of Psyche could not long remain un- 
noticed : its publication was called for loudly ; — and the 
profits of the first edition, amounting to five hundred 
pounds, Mr. Henry Tighe gave, in order to found a " Hos- 
pital Ward" to "The House of Refuge," for unprotected 
female servants out of place ; which charity Mrs. Blach- 



mi-Age 43. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



165 



ford had herself founded, several years before, in Bagot- 
street, Dublin. 

After the death of Mrs. Henry Tighe, the poem of 
Psyche was published, with several other poems annexed, 
in a beautiful large quarto, and had a rapid and extensive 
sale. It has since passed through many octavo editions ; the 
latest edition is a small gem, in a richly-illuminated binding. 

Mrs. Blachford had, early in life, become devoted to 
religious inquiry, and while necessarily she was much in 
the world, and fulfilling all its duties agreeably with her 
station in life, she possessed a decision of character which, 
joined to her good understanding and great philanthropy, 
distinguished the whole tenor of her useful life. 

The character of Miranda, in Law's Serious Call, was 
the aim of Mrs. Blachford ; and those who knew her best, 
believed that her useful life illustrated the character : her 
jointure of seven hundred pounds per annum she expended 
chiefly in charity, after her children were provided for ; 
contenting herself with few of even the comforts of life, in 
order to administer more largely to the necessities of others. 

Mrs. Blachford's second brother, William Tighe, Esq., 
was also pious: he wrote the Life of Mr. Law; having 
for this special purpose traveled to the place of his birth, 
and to those of his different residences, in order to collect 
the most perfect account possible of that great and good 
man ; Mr. Richard Tighe likewise abridged all Mr. Law's 
works in one volume, under the title of A Guide to Rest* 

Several hours of each day Mrs. Blachford spent in 
attending to the education of twelve poor girls, whose 
instruction was followed up by her guardian care, and the 
exertion of her influence on their behalf in their future 
progress through life. Such, but more than this, was the 
lady to whose correspondence with Mr. Moore these pre- 
liminary observations are made, in order to introduce those 
* Mr. Moore was also favored with his friendship. 



166 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1791-Age 40. 



frequent extracts from her letters, which will be found in 
the progress of this memoir of her highly-esteemed and 
respected friend. 

The first communication of this kind found among Mr. 
Moore's papers was addressed to him in the year 1791 ; 
and is inserted here, though a little out of chronological 
order, on account of its interesting character, relating as it 
does scenes of the Irish rebellion of that unhappy period. 
The letter is dated, 

Dublin, June 1, 1791. 

My Dear Friend, — Here the daily accounts of the 
slaughter, devastation, and intended massacres, are dread- 
ful. My brother-in-law, the Rev. Mr. Sandys, finding that 
his name was actually down for assassination, and his own 
confidential servant " a United Irishman," has fled with his 
whole family to my eldest brother's house in Dawson- 
street. My brother Richard and his family were obliged 
to leave their home in the night, and fly half naked from 
the neighborhood of Gorey. Mrs. Tighe, of Rossana, (the 
second wife of Mrs. Blachford's father, an excellent 
woman,) has likewise abandoned her beautiful seat, on 
discovering that all her men servants and workmen were 
enlisted with " the United Irishmen :" we expect every 
hour to hear that the place is burnt to the ground. My 
son-in-law, Henry Tighe, is with a party of yeomanry, 
keeping guard about Powerscourt, the residence of Mr. 
Sandys, as the rebels were yesterday within a few miles 
of that place. This much in reference to our immediate 
friends ; but be the event what it may as to victory, how 
dreadful must be the result to tin's unhappy country ! 

Thousands have been slaughtered, and their families 
cast houseless upon the world ; for the heart of every 
Protestant is steeled against the Roman Catholics, in whom 
it will hereafter be impossible to confide. I have stood 
up for them till I can do so no longer ; having believed 



mi-Age 40. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



167 



that their creed had nothing to do with this conflict : but 
I have been obliged to give up the point. I suppose that 
there is not a family in this now crowded city which is 
not in hourly expectation and apprehension for the life of 
4 some member belonging to it, as almost every male from 
between sixteen to sixty years of age is either a yeoman 
or a United Irishman ; — servants, apprentices, and some 
shopkeepers, only excepted. Of the former description, 
vast numbers are taken up every day. Your former land- 
lady, poor Mrs. Coghlan, has this instant left me in an 
agony of mind, her two sons having been apprehended, 
though she says there is nothing against them but their 
having in their possession a quantity of green silk, (the 
rebel color,) and which they had for the sole purpose of 
business, they being parasol makers : if this be so, they 
will I trust be shortly liberated. 

The tales of cruelty and injustice on both sides, of which 
we are continually hearing, are incredible ; and though 
perhaps exaggerated by each party as it suits them, have, 
alas ! too much foundation in truth. Pray write soon, and 
tell me if my brother, and my cousin, Lady Anne Talbot, 
have actually left Bath. All religious persons I see 
complain of the distracted state of their minds, and their 
want of a suitable spirit of prayer in our alarming situation, 
both as individuals and as a nation. 

For myself I did not feel dejected till within these two 
days ; during which time I have had eleven carriages full 
of brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, and yet still nearer 
relatives, driven to town from the neighborhood of Bray, 
Wicklow, and Gorey. Fourteen Protestant families were 
massacred in the county of Wexford this week : the last 
news from that county has lowered the spirits of our 
people, and yet they affirm that "the United Irishmen" 
must be ultimately destroyed. 

Can we rejoice in the slaughter of our poor fellow- 



168 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



nQ6-Age 45. 



countrymen ? On both sides, the proceedings are most 
barbarous. My poor daughter Mary is to-day almost dis- 
tracted, having heard that her husband, Mr. Henry Tighe, 
is gone to Rathdram, a place thirty miles from Dublin, and 
near the victorious party of the rebels. 

God bless and preserve dear Mrs. Moore and yourself. 
Pray for us, and especially that we may be enabled truly 
to pray for ourselves. 

Your sincere friend, 

Theodosia Blachford. 

How dreadful a state is that of civil war! And yet the 
preceding letter, melancholy and revolting as are its details, 
gives but a faint idea of its desolating calamities, — of its 
demoralizing results ! When it springs merely from political 
motives, it is truly sanguinary ; but when religious feud is 
added thereto, it takes a still more direful hold on the 
depravities of the human heart, — which, thus masking 
themselves under the guise of a zeal for truth and right, 
gives scope to all the sweep of its destructive sythe ! 
The hopes and fears of an hereafter, in all its awful con- 
sequences, add nerve to motive, and fire to zeal, while they 
crush or obliterate all the tender mercies of the human 
heart. Surely on such sights the Holy and the Just One, 
the God of infinite compassion, must look down in anger, 
and " almost repent him that he had made man." 

But to return. 

Toward the close of the year 1796, Mr. and Mrs. 
Moore being stationed at Bath, received a visit from their 
friend Mrs. Blachford : after leaving their house she pro- 
ceeded into Wales to receive her son, who purposed to 
remain some time there on his return from the continent, 
accompanied by his bride. On Mrs. Blachford's arrival at 
Swansea, she wrote to Mr. Moore : an extract from her 
letter will be found interesting. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



169 



" My son John and his wife are at present here, till they 
can enter upon a pretty place which they have taken at 
Cowbridge. 

" John's wife is about twenty years of age, certainly not 
handsome ; but what shall I say 1 1 Marriages,' I have 
been told, ' are made in heaven ;' do you believe it 1 She 
seems to idolize her husband : we must idolize something, 
and until we worship God ' in spirit and in truth,' I think 
she cannot do better ; for surely she could find no more 
suitable object besides her Maker to idolize, than her 
husband. 

" My own dear Mary and her husband have not yet seen 
their new sister-in-law, for as they travel with their own 
horses, and do not keep the direct road, in order to visit 
everything of interest on their route, of course their pace 
is slow, and their journey protracted. 

" I fear Cowbridge will not afford to me any person of 
a companionable kind ; and what I still more deplore is, 
that there is neither bookseller nor books in the place, nor 
any one likely to lend me books. I hope I may not evince, 
by a spirit of repining, that I am too sensibly alive to this 
discomfort, and sad mental deprivation." 

From the placid scenes of social enjoyment, Mr. Moore 
was soon called into more soul-stirring times ; for the year 
1797 was one of great interest and of deep importance to 
the whole of the Wesleyan societies. The disaffection to 
their church discipline, before referred to, which had shown 
itself among the people, appeared at this period to have 
attained its crisis. Frequent and numerously-attended 
meetings were held by the dissentients, who were de- 
termined to withstand any encroachments upon their 
privileges, and to resist that power in the preachers, to 
which they had cheerfully submitted during the life-time 
of the venerated founder of their body, whose word had 

8 



170 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1797-^e46. 



been the law which ruled them, owing to their confidence 
in his fatherly administration of the government of the 
respective societies. 

After his death, it was proved that he had hoped in 
vain that " the men of many minds " would agree in their 
judgment in what way they could best rule the church 
which he had formed, in the true spirit of love, continuing 
by its simplicity, purity, and zeal, to carry on the discipline 
which he had originated ; and temper, in its full spirit, 
the exercise of that power which he had chiefly swayed 
in his own person ! 

In this improbable estimate of men and things, the 
sequel proved Mr. Wesley to have been quite mistaken : 
the rule of the many seemed a heavy yoke, and the people 
soon resolved to have laws for the preachers as well as for 
themselves. The report of these disaffections caused the 
leading preachers to take the subject into their deep con- 
sideration, and the result was, that the late Rev. Joseph 
Benson, the Rev. Alexander Mather, and Thos. Thompson, 
Esq., of Hull, met together, and drew up something like a 
code of laws, which they believed would appease the 
people, and yet not vitally interfere with the government 
of the body as heretofore administered. 

Mr. Moore, and several of the other brethren, opposed 
any alteration in the usages of the body of the preachers, 
but they anxiously considered what might safely be done 
in the present difficulties. Mr. Moore was jealous of any 
alteration from Mr. Wesley's original plan, which certainly 
worked well with himself, but, as we have had occasion to 
observe, did not work well without him. 

At the meeting of the conference at Leeds, in the year 
1797, Dr. Coke was chosen president, and the Rev. 
Samuel Bradburn secretary. The first business which 
was entered upon was, " a consideration of the laws and 
rules of Methodism." 



1797-Age 46. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



171 



Having gone carefully over them, one by one, they 
endeavored so to correct the evils complained of, as to 
avoid a schism in the body ; and to meet the wishes and 
demands of the moderate party, a large deputation from 
whom met at Leeds to represent their claims, and if 
possible to get them admitted.* The conference, after 
their deliberations, issued the following declaration : — 

" PREAMBLE. 

" Whereas, we the undersigned have on this, and the 
preceding day, carefully revised the rules drawn up and 
left us by our late venerable father in the gospel, the 
Rev. John Wesley, which were published by him in our 
large Minutes, to which we consented when we were 
admitted, and by which we were regulated during his life : 
And Whereas, we have collected together those rules 
which we believe to be essential to the existence of 
Methodism, as well as others to which we have no objec- 
tion, we do now voluntarily and in good faith sign our 
names as approving of, and engaging to comply with, the 
aforesaid collection of rules, or code of laws, God being 
our helper !" 

This declaration was dated August the 1st, 1797, and 
one hundred and forty-five of the preachers, with the 
president and secretary, signed their names to it. 

" The concessions of 1797," as they were afterward 
termed, were included under seven general heads, em- 
bracing financial, and all temporal matters, — receiving and 
excluding members, — the appointment and removal of 
leaders, stewards, and local preachers, — new rules, &c, 

* This deputation consisted of two hundred trustees, sent from all 
parts of the kingdom, and among them were the authors of 
many able pamphlets and resolutions on the subject of Methodistical 
government. 



172 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1797-^46. 



which were published in a printed circular, and a copy 
forwarded to each circuit before the conference broke up. 
These stipulations were almost forced from the conference 
by the people, and are as follows, preceded by the fore- 
going conciliatory preamble. 

ADDRESS TO THE METHODIST SOCIETIES. 

Dear Brethren, — We think it our duty to inform you, 
by the earliest opportunity, of the measures we have taken, 
in order to satisfy those of our brethren who have been 
made more or less uneasy by sundry publications circulated 
through the societies ; and, we trust, that on a serious 
consideration of the regulations we have agreed to at this 
conference, you will see that the sacrifices in respect to 
authority, which we have made on the part of the whole 
body of traveling preachers, evidence our willingness to 
meet our brethren in everything which is consistent with 
the existence of the Methodist discipline, and our readiness 
to be their servants for Jesus's sake. 

I. In respect to finances, or money matters. 

1. We have determined to publish annually a very 
minute account of the disbursement, or application, of the 
yearly collection : and, 

2. A full account of the affairs of the Kingswood school. 

3. That all bills for the support of traveling preachers 
and their families, in respect to deficiencies, house-rent, 
fire, candles, sickness, traveling expenses, and all other 
matters of a temporal kind for their support, for which the 
circuits cannot provide, shall first meet with the approbation 
of the quarterly meeting, and be signed by the general 
steward of the circuit, before they can be brought to the 
district committee. 

II. In respect to all other temporal matters : 
1. It has been determined, that no circuits shall be 
divided, till such division has been approved of by their 



1797-vAge 46. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



173 



respective quarterly meetings, and signed by the general 
stewards. 

2. That no other temporal matter shall be transacted by 
the district committees till the approbation of the respective 
quarterly meetings be first given, signed by the circuit 
stewards. 

III. In respect to the receiving and excluding private 
members of the society : 

1. The leaders' meeting shall have a right to declare 
any person on trial, improper to be received into the 
society: and, after such declaration, the superintendent 
shall not admit such person into the society. 

2. No person shall be expelled from the society for 
immorality, till such immorality be proved at a leaders' 
meeting. 

IV. In respect to the appointment and removal of 
leaders, stewards, and local preachers; and concerning 
meetings : 

1 . No person shall be appointed a leader or steward, or 
be removed from his office, but in conjunction with the 
leaders' meeting ; the nomination to be in the superintend- 
ent, and the approbation or disapprobation in the leaders' 
meeting. 

2. The former rule concerning local preachers is con- 
firmed: viz., That no person shall receive a plan as a 
local preacher, without the approbation of a local preachers' 
meeting. 

3. In compliance with a request made by the committee 
of persons from various parts, namely, " That the confer- 
ence be requested to reconsider and revise those rules 
which relate to the calling of meetings, and appointing 
local preachers, made last year," we say, " No local 
preacher shall be permitted to preach in any other circuit 
than his own, without producing a recommendation from 
the superintendent of the circuit in which he lives : nor 



174 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1797-^46. 



suffer any invitation to be admitted as a plea, but from men 
in office, who act in conjunction with the superintendent 
of that circuit which he visits." 

The design of this rule is to prevent any person, under 
the character of a local preacher, from burdening the 
people, either by collecting money, or by living upon them : 
and to prevent improper persons, who bear no part of the 
expense, from inviting local preachers thus to visit them. 
But it was never intended to reflect the least disrespect on 
any of our worthy brethren, the local preachers, who, con- 
sidered as a body, we greatly respect. And it should not 
be lost sight of, that several of the most respectable local 
preachers in the kingdom, who were in the committee 
which met the committee of preachers appointed by the 
conference, declared their high approbation of the rule, and 
desired that it might be strengthened as much as possible, 
as none could justly complain of it. 

4. As the committee above-mentioned requested also, 
that the Minutes of the last conference concerning the 
calling of meetings to consider the affairs of the society 
or connection be explained ; and as we are exceedingly 
desirous of preserving the peace and union of the whole 
body, we have agreed upon the following explanation, viz. : 

(1.) As the leaders' meeting is the proper place for the 
society, and the quarterly meeting for the circuit, we think 
that other formal meetings, in general, would be contrary 
to the Methodist economy, and very prejudicial in their 
consequences : but 

(2.) In order to be as tender as possible, consistently 
with what we believe to be essential to the welfare of our 
societies, we allow, that other formal meetings may be 
held, if they first receive the approbation of the superin- 
tendent, and the leaders' or quarterly meeting ; provided 
also that the superintendent, if he please, be present at 
every such meeting. 



1797^*46. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



175 



V. We have selected all our ancient rules, which were 
made before the death of our late venerable father in the 
gospel, the Rev. John Wesley, which are essential rules, 
or prudential at this present time ; and have solemnly- 
signed them, declaring our approbation of them, and de- 
termination to comply with them ; one single preacher 
excepted,* who, in consequence, withdrew from us. 

VI. We have determined, that all the rules which relate 
to the societies, leaders, stewards, local preachers, trustees, 
and quarterly meetings, shall be published with the rules 
of the society, for the benefit and convenience of all the 
members. 

VII. In respect to all new rules, which shall be made 
by the conference, — 

It is determined, that if at any time the conference see 
it necessary to make any new rule for the societies at 
large, and such rule should be objected to at the first 
quarterly meeting in any given circuit ; and if the major 
part of that meeting, in conjunction with the preachers, be 
of opinion, that the enforcing of such rule in that circuit 
will be injurious to the prosperity of that circuit, it shall 
not be enforced in opposition to the judgment of such quar- 
terly meeting, before the second conference. But, if the 
rule be confirmed by the second conference, it shall be 
binding to the whole connection. Nevertheless, the 
quarterly meetings, rejecting a new rule, shall not, by 
publications, public meetings, or otherwise, make that rule 
a cause of contention ; but shall strive, by every means, to 
preserve the peace of the connection. 

Thus, brethren, we have given up the greatest part of 
our executive government into your hands, as represented 
in your different public meetings. 

1. We have delivered the whole of our yearly collec- 

* Before the conference concluded, two other preachers with- 
drew. 



176 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



im-Age46. 



tion to your management. For .we know by experience, 
that the bills of the quarterly meetings, if only mere justice 
be done to the preachers and their families, will amount to 
much more than the yearly collection. The conference 
will, in this business, have no authority whatsoever. They 
will have nothing but the trouble of receiving the money, 
and paying the bills which shall have been sent to them 
from the quarterly meetings, which may have been ap- 
proved of by the district committees. And when the 
accounts are published by the conference, every quarterly 
meeting may compare its own accounts with those of the 
conference, and thereby have as complete a check as the 
nature of things can possibly admit of. 

The conference has reserved to itself the management 
of its own book concerns. This is most reasonable ; as 
the institution was established for the carrying on of the 
work of God, under the direction of Mr. Wesley and the 
said conference ; was continued, by the deed or codicil of 
Mr. "Wesley's will, for the use of the conference; as the 
whole burden of the management of the business lies upon 
the conference, and the servants they employ, and on the 
superintendents of circuits ; and also, as it is the only fund 
which can supply any deficiencies of the yearly collection, 
as the accounts published in our Minutes for several years 
past clearly evidence, the yearly collection having not been 
nearly sufficient for the wants of the preachers and families, 
and for the carrying on of the work of God in general. 

2. The whole management of our temporal concerns 
may now be truly said to be invested in the quarterly 
meetings, the district meetings having nothing left them 
but a negative. 

3. Our societies have a full check on the superintendent 
— by means of their leaders' meeting — in regard to the 
introduction of persons into society; while the superin- 
tendent has sufficient scope allowed him for the increase 



1197-Agei6. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



177 



of the societies, not only according to the common course 
of things, but at the times of remarkable outpourings of the 
Spirit of God. 

4. The members of our societies are delivered from 
every apprehension of clandestine expulsions ; as that 
superintendent would be bold, indeed, who would act with 
partiality or injustice in the presence of the whole meeting 
of leaders. Such a superintendent, we trust, we have not 
among us ; and if such there ever should be, we should be 
ready to do all possible justice to our injured brethren. 

5. There is now no society officer among us who can 
be received without the consent of that meeting to which 
he particularly belongs : nor can any officer be appointed, 
except upon the same plan. 

6. In order to prevent any degree of precipitation in 
making new rules, and to obtain information of the senti- 
ments of our people on every such rule, we have agreed to 
the article mentioned under the seventh head, by which no 
regulations will be finally confirmed, till after a year's con- 
sideration, and the knowledge of the sentiments of the con- 
nection at large, through the medium of all their public 
officers. 

In short, brethren, out of our great love for peace and 
union, and our great desire to satisfy your minds, we have 
given up to you far the greatest part of the superintendent's 
authority : and, if we consider that the quarterly meetings 
are the sources from whence all temporal regulations, 
during the intervals of the conference, must now originally 
spring ; and also, that the committee, formed according to 
the Plan of Pacification, can, in every instance, in which 
the trustees, leaders, and stewards, choose to interfere, 
respecting the gifts, doctrines, or moral character of 
preachers, supersede, in a great measure, the regular dis- 
trict committees ; we may, taking all these things into our 
view, truly say, that such have been the sacrifices we 
8* 



178 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1797-Age 46. 



have made, that our district committees themselves have 
hardly any authority remaining, but a bare negative in 
general, and the appointment of a representative to 
assist in the drawing up the rough draught of the stations 
of the preachers. And, besides all this, we have given 
the quarterly meetings opportunity of considering every 
new law, of suspending the execution of it for a year in 
their respective circuits, and of sending their sentiments 
upon it to the conference, before it be finally confirmed. 

We have represented these measures, which we have 
taken for your satisfaction, in as concise a manner as we 
well could, giving you the sense of the whole, not only for 
brevity's sake, but for expedition, that you may be informed 
of the general heads of our proceedings as soon as pos- 
sible. In regulations which will be published with the 
rules of the society, as mentioned above, you will have 
the whole at large. 

This address is dated August 7th, 1797, and therefore 
was issued from Leeds a week after the date of the pre- 
amble. The Minutes of the Conference for that year furnish 
the same account; and also Warren's Digest of the Laws 
and Regulations of the Wesleyan Methodists, from which 
work the foregoing address is extracted. 

It has been observed, that Mr. Moore opposed these 
" concessions," deeming them an inroad on that Scriptu- 
ral power which he had himself willingly ceded to Mr. 
Wesley, and which, having been found good then, he 
believed all change to be unnecessary, thinking that in the 
continued government of the church, its many rulers, as 
Christian ministers, would be as the heart and mind of one 
man, and that Mr. Wesley's rules would be carried out in 
Mr. Wesley's spirit. 

The " concessions," however, passed the conference 
by a large majority ; and accordingly, though Mr. Moore 



1797- Age 46. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



179 



was strongly tempted to leave the body on account of the 
change, fearing that the government would soon become 
local and worldly, he afterward determined to try the real 
operation of the partial changes in the discipline and 
government of the societies. 

From a letter addressed to Mrs. Moore, at this period, 
the following expression of his views and feelings is ex- 
tracted : — 

" The strangest thing which ever occurred among a 
body of men has now occurred in the Methodist Con- 
ference ; they have conceded, by one act, all their authority, 
thereby violating Mr. Wesley's wish and intentions, in 
reference to the work." 

In the course of the succeeding pages we shall find much 
more upon this subject : for the present this will suffice 
to show that Mr. Moore did not give up any point on a 
slight examination only ; nor any supposed or real trust, 
without first endeavoring to ascertain its entire import, 
and its full operation. 

Previously, however, to this period, Dr. Whitehead had, 
after much delay, brought out his Life of Mr. Wesley, and 
afterward returned the bulk of the papers to the Methodist 
book steward, Mr. George Storey. These papers were then 
removed to the chapel-house, in the City Road, where the 
Rev. John Pawson then resided, in the room of the Rev. 
James Rogers. 

Mr. Pawson was a most holy man, but was possessed 
of little taste : a study of divinity he deemed the bound of 
all proper Christian erudition, and everything else as lite- 
rally " vanity and vexation of spirit :" no sooner therefore 
did Mr. Pawson get these diversified papers of Mr. Wes- 
ley into his hands, than he took a hasty view of them, 
and was proceeding to destroy every paper of any literary 
interest, — when Mr. Moore, learning the fact, immediately 
wrote — expostulating with him upon the subject, and de- 



180 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



YI^Age 46. 



manding, by virtue of his trust, all those papers which were 
not already consigned to the flames by Mr. Pawson's cer- 
tainly rash and injudicious hand. Among other books in 
the library of the City Road house, Mr. Pawson laid vio- 
lent hands on, and destroyed, a fine quarto edition of 
Shakspeare's Plays, (presented to Mr. Wesley by a gentle- 
man in Dublin, the margin of which was filled with critical 
notes by Mr. Wesley himself,) judging them, and the 
work itself, as among the things which tended not to 
edification. 

From the following extract of Mr. Pawson's letter, in 
reply to Mr. Moore's expostulation, we shall see how mat- 
ters stood in reference to this extraordinary subject : the 
letter itself is addressed to Mr. Moore, at that time sta- 
tioned in Bath, and is dated as follows :=- 

" London, September 1st, 1797. 
" When Dr. Whitehead gave up Mr. Wesley's papers to 
Mr. Storey, I requested them from him ; he sent them to 
me after some time, and I found several things among them 
which I thought of value ; but I cast away abundance of 
useless, worthless lumber of letters, written to Mr. Wesley ; 
knowing he had looked over his letters and inserted the 
best of them in the Magazine : but the quantity of papers 
is so small, that it is by no meas worth your while to come 
to London about them, but if you will signify your desire 
to have them, I will pack them up, and send them to you 
at Bath." 

To this letter Mr. Moore appears to have written a 
remonstrance against Mr. Pawson's mode of procedure, in 
destroying any papers without his knowledge or consent, 
as is implied by the following extract from Mr. Pawson's 
reply :— 

" It never was my design to give a moment's pain to you 
or to any one else, by anything which I have done with 



1797-Age 46. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



181 



Mr. Wesley's papers : I have only had my labor for my 
pains : the greater part of the papers were old, good-for- 
nothing letters, — not a few of which ought never to have 
been seen by any one but himself, and which I wonder he 
had not destroyed. All I thought to be of use I preserved, 
and not a few — I think useless ones ; however, I will send 
you all, and among them what I deemed to be a curiosity, 
some of the little books written in his own short hand, 
which you understand much better than I do, though I can 
read it pretty well ; but as to what might properly be 
called manuscripts, I think Mr. Wesley wanted money 
too much for his great work in his life-time, to have left 
anything behind him likely to have taken in the market. 

" I hear many unpleasing things in reference to our 
societies from Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester, Huddersfield, 
and other places. After all we have said and done, our 
people are not yet fully saved in their lives and conduct. 
To be consistent is a great and good thing : to be univer- 
sally conscientious is indeed a rare thing, and yet who can 
go to heaven without this ! God help us. Amen" 

It appears that the late Dr. Adam Clarke had been 
stationed in Spitalfields, at the conference of 1795, and that 
he had taken the same view as Mr. Moore of the conduct 
of Dr. Whitehead, in reference to the publishing of the 
papers without their having been subjected to the exami- 
nation of Mr. Moore and Dr. Coke, the persons intrusted 
with them by Mr. Wesley, or any individual they might 
have chosen to join with themselves in this important work, 
for important it was, considering Mr. Wesley as the head 
of a people, and confidentially corresponded with by nearly 
all orders of the community : and on this account Mr. 
Clarke, and the City Road trustees, with those preachers 
who took part with them in their support of Dr. Whitehead, 
were at issue : Dr. Whitehead had been anxious to be re- 
instated in the Methodist society, and into the office of a 



182 LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1797-Age 46. 

local preacher in the body ; from both of which he had 
been ejected during the superintendency of Mr. James 
Rogers ; Mr. Pawson having succeeded Mr. Rogers, had 
been induced, by a partial view of the subject, to go over to 
Dr. Whitehead's and the trustees' side, for at his first com- 
ing to London he had been opposed to both. Dr. White- 
head thought this a good opportunity to be restored to his 
former station in that religious society. It appears, how- 
ever, that this was strongly opposed, unless Dr. Whitehead 
would consent to make a public acknowledgment of the 
faults he had committed : these were hard terms to the 
human mind, — but if religion had not so sufficiently hum- 
bled the spirit as to bow it to the conditions offered by that 
church to which he wished to be officially united, surely 
he was not fit for the place, and especially the office, he 
desired in that Christian community. 

In reference to these points we shall learn more fully 
by the following extracts from letters, sent by Mr. Clarke 
to Mr. Moore ; the first of interest on this subject is dated, 

" London, October 21st, 1797. 

" My Dear Brother, — What I have done, and what I 
have suffered, in reference to the matter of Dr. Whitehead, 
it is impossible for me to describe : it is necessary for you 
to know that the trustees of the City Road chapel, to show 
their power, had a meeting on Monday last, in which it 
was resolved nemo contradicente, that Dr. Whitehead should 
preach in the new chapel on the following sabbath, (to- 
morrow ;) and whereas, the proposal before had been, that 
he should make some public acknowledgment of his fault, 
their resolution went to restore him independent of any- 
thing of the kind. 

" You must know also, that the old local preachers' plan 
being now nearly out, a new one for the succeeding quarter 
had been drawn up by Mr. Pawson : I got a sight of it, and 



\m-Age 46. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



183 



what did I see 1 why — before any acknowledgment was 
made, or could be made, Dr. Whitehead's name stood on 
the list : this plan was to go to press to-day, or Monday, 
and I knew it would be matter of real grief to many of our 
best people in London ; on expressing which opinion, Mr. 
Pawson considered that I was taking part against him : 
encompassed with difficulties, feeling for the honor of the 
connection, and standing nearly alone, I ventured with a 
heavy heart this morning to the preachers' meeting ; after 
transacting our ordinary business, I then referred to the 
case of Dr. Whitehead, and entered at large into his con- 
duct, not only as it respected Mr. Wesley's manuscripts, 
but also the assistance which he had given Mr. Kilham in 
his papers ; and the scandalous reflections which he had 
made against the preachers in his Life of Mr. Wesley ; 
and I concluded by moving, that ' he should not be restored 
to a place among us on the plan, nor preach in any of our 
chapels, until after the approaching conference, unless he 
made an adequate acknowledgment.' This, after much 
conversation, was carried in the affirmative." 

Fully to understand the whole purport of the following 
letter, it should be premised that, when Mr. Clarke's father 
first came to England, it was with the intention of taking 
the situation of classical master of the Kingswood school ; 
but in the course of eight or nine months it was found, that 
he was not fully adapted for the situation, and consequently 
he relinquished it ; and that the conference had given him 
fifty pounds for the expenses of his removal, and his time. 
The letter referred to was written by Mr. Clarke to Mr. 
Moore, and is dated, 

London, November 2d, 1797. 
My Dear Brother, — I had some fears after what I 
had witnessed, that after all, Dr. Whitehead's name might 
appear in the plan ; however, it is published, and I find it 



184 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1791-Age 46. 



has no place in the list: at present there is I believe great 
searching of heart on this subject among the trustees, and 
I well know all the blame lies gloriously at my door : you 
think I have had helpers and brothers among the preachers 
in this work ; alas for me, I stand almost alone, except Mr. 
George Whitefield. How then, say you, did you carry your 
point 1 My firmness terrified Mr. Pawson, and the rest 
gave their voice with that of their master. You little 
know how rough my path has been since I came here ; 
had not God given me the hearts of the people, I must 
have sunk ; but from the beginning they have been with 
me, for they felt that God was with me. 

When the late extraordinary address was carrying on by 
Dr. Coke and Mr. Pawson, I opposed it with all my might: 
I was flattered to accede to it ; this was in vain : I was 
threatened ; this no way shook my determination to oppose : 
I was then told, " Your father has been a great expense to 
Kingswood, and this, if you continue to oppose, may be 
brought up against your feelings in such a way as you do 
not now know." I replied, " What expense has my father 
been?" "O, the conference gave him fifty pounds." 
" Well, that shall not cause me to act against my judg- 
ment ; and my father shall neither be beholden to you, nor 
to the conference." I went home, took a list of the best 
books I had in the world to two booksellers : " What will 
you give me for these, ready money ?'" " Forty pounds." 
Porters were ordered, and my heart's blood was packed 
up and sent off. Next I sold some of my philosophical 
and astronomical instruments, which I had been collecting 
for years, and raised about ten pounds more by them. I 
then went and paid down to Mr. Whitefleld fifty pounds in 
behalf of the Kingswood school. They were thunder- 
struck — confounded ! they saw, and saw painfully, that, by 
the grace of God, I was incorruptible, and not to be turned 
from following the dictates of my conscience by threaten- 



im-Age 46. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



185 



ing ; and that a man in my cajie " could swear to his owri 
hurt and change not." Were I with you I could make 
you weep ; and freeze, and thaw your blood. 

The books are gone, and some, too, of the best and the 
scarcest in Europe, which no money can replace. My 
Mary wept, and from my own strong eyes a reluctant tear 
now and then dropped ! but it is passed — and by the grace 
of the Lord of the universe I live still independent of those 
two parties who tried to enthral me. At present I may 
say I am disciplined in two sore campaigns, and I have 
not yet turned my back to any adversary of the truth 
through fear or favor. Evils may still come : nature is full 
of them ; non ignoro mali ; " I am not unacquainted with 
evil :" they may be distressful ; sed (sic opinor) graviora 
tuli; " but (so I think) I have endured greater hardships:" 
in cases of this kind my motto has long been, Tu ne cede 
malis, sed contra audacter ito ; " Don't give way to evils, 
but, on the contrary, withstand them boldly." 

When Dr. Whitehead preached at the City Road chapel, 
on the twenty-second, he made not the smallest acknow- 
ledgment of his fault, directly or indirectly ; yet strange to 
tell, Mr. Pawson, in his own goodness, " thinks that the 
first verse of the hymn, which Dr. Whitehead gave out, 
was an ample acknowledgment," viz. : — 

" Son of God, if thy free grace 
Again hath raised me up, 
Call'd me back to seek thy face, 
And given me back my hope." 

I answered, the " raising up" means to the pulpit ; the 
"bringing back" is to the new chapel; and the "giving 
him his hope" means the fulfillment of the expectation he 
had of being once brought to a place where his honor 
delighted to dwell. With love to Mrs. Moore, believe me, 
Yours affectionately, Adam Clarke. 



186 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1798-^e 47' 



We cannot better dismiss the subject of Dr. Whitehead, 
than by transcribing the following letter from his warm 
advocate, the late excellent Mr. John Pawson, to Mr. 
Moore ; the letter is dated, 

London, May 14, 1798. 
My Dear Friend, — As I do not intend to be present 
at the next conference, having met with a great and sore 
affliction, viz. — the death of my most amiable and never- 
to-be-forgotten brother, which has deeply affected my 
mind ; and as I understand you are not at all satisfied 
respecting Dr. Whitehead being permitted to preach 
among us again ; I judge it necessary to give you the 
clearest account of that business I possibly can, in order 
that you and the conference may act toward me as you 
shall see good. I have freely and faithfully told Dr. 
Whitehead, before I came to London and since, wherein 
I thought him wrong, and my views of his conduct are 
exactly the same now as they ever were ; but as I well 
knew that the City Road trustees were determined to intro- 
duce him into the new chapel, and that he should preach 
there again if he would, — being present when this reso- 
lution passed, I thought, and still think, it would make far 
less uneasiness in the society for us, the preachers, to set 
him up, than that the trustees should bring him in on their 
own authority : from the moment I came here to the present, 
I have labored with my might to restore peace, and to 
preserve it. 

I proposed Dr. Whitehead's return to us in a full leaders' 
meeting ; little or no objection was made to it by any one. 
I then proposed the same thing in the quarterly meeting ; 
at which, after a long and serious debate, the question was 
carried by a large majority. I then proposed it in the 
local preachers' quarterly meeting, at which Dr. Hamilton 
attended on purpose that he might speak in favor of Dr. 
Whitehead's return, which he did. There I learned that 



1798-Age 47. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



187 



he had been accused of many things in a quarterly meet- 
ing ; but that he, not being present to answer for himself, 
Dr. Coke and Mr. Clarke were desired to see and talk 
with him, and then to make their report to the next meeting 
of the preachers. At this meeting, also, the question was 
carried, if I remember right, without a dissentient voice, 
except Mr. Whitefield's, that the doctor should return to 
us upon making proper concessions : but here I now see 
we missed our way, for it was not said what concessions 
the doctor should make, nor was any person or persons 
appointed to determine what concessions should be deemed 
sufficient. 

Messrs. A. Clarke, T. Rankin, Atmore, and myself, 
waited upon Dr. Whitehead, and he gave us a written 
paper, which was read, but we did not approve of it. After 
some little conversation with him, Mr. Clarke left us. I 
found the doctor in a difficult situation ; he was not at 
liberty to make what concessions he thought good, his 
committee being equally concerned with himself, and they 
would not suffer him to criminate them. At the time ap- 
pointed the doctor preached, and some thought the first 
line of the hymn was concession : " Son of God, if thy 
free grace," &c. There was a large congregation, and in 
general the people were well satisfied, and very few indeed 
offended. 

The doctor was so much intimidated, that I believe he 
did not say much by way of concession ; but the next time 
he preached he did ; — and, as far as I know, the people 
were contented. In order to avoid offense, we did not 
put him on the plan that quarter, and for this I was con- 
demned by the trustees ; but it has done no harm that I am 
aware of, and many that were his enemies went to hear 
him preach. 

I have acted uprightly, according to my best light ; and 
were it to do over again, I should certainly do it over 



188 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1798-Ageil. 



again, as far as I am able to judge. And now I have told 
you the naked truth, as far as I am able to judge, and if 
you think proper, you may read this paper to the brethren, 
and they and you make what remarks you think right upon 
my conduct. 

My time among you must now be short, as my days are 
drawing to a conclusion. My brother and myself set out 
in the good way at the same time, in the year 1758 : we 
have been as one soul ever since ; but the Lord hath called 
to himself my bosom friend, in whom I could entirely con- 
fide, who shared all my joys and all my griefs. My God 
is taking away from me every human prop, and is cutting 
every tie to earth in pieces, so that I may die and not 
leave a wish behind. " I have no babes to hold me here:" 
I have, it is true, a most amiable and affectionate wife, but 
she is in a very poor state of health ; and I have a few 
relations whom I love, and who I believe love me ; — but I 
have many more in heaven who seem to say to me, " Come 
up hither :" I have a father and mother ; a wife and two 
children ; a beloved brother and one of his daughters ; a 
sister, her husband and daughter ; another sister, her hus- 
band and son ; and my father's sister — who all died happy 
in the love of God, and who are now in heaven. Why, 
then, should I wish to live here ? How much more de- 
sirable it is, if it should so please God, that I should take 
my flight into that peaceful world, where strife and con- 
tention never yet appeared ! No one need drop a tear for 
me except my beloved wife, who, I am afraid, will go 
before me. We unite in love to yourself and Mrs. Moore. 
Farewell. 

I am your affectionate brother, 

John Paws on. 

In dismissing the account of the uneasinesses occasioned 
by the line of conduct pursued by Dr. Whitehead, if it 



\79Q-Age 47. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



189 



be asked, Why treat on a subject which revives the faults 
of the dead ? it is replied, That, in the first place, Dr. 
Whitehead solely brought it before the public, in his Life 
of Mr. Wesley, and therefore the public has an indubitable 
right to the whole history of facts, and to which, in honest 
faithfulness, all mere points of feeling must implicitly 
bow. 

Dr. Whitehead lived several years after these occur- 
rences, and seemed to have recovered a measure of the 
affection of his brethren, and died in peace, in the year 
1804. 



In detailing the history of a Wesley an Methodist preacher, 
it is to be expected that those things will generally be 
treated of which in an especial manner belong to the body 
of Christians with which he is connected ; and in this 
early history of the rules and discipline of Methodism, it 
is presumed that all matters which bear upon the broad 
outline of its character must be interesting. This belief 
must be at once the reason and the apology for any details 
which otherwise might be considered as too minute for 
general readers, or even for those who are now reaping 
the fruit, after the labor and care, of by-gone years. 

Two years after the death of the Rev. John Wesley, the 
preachers renewed a fund which had previously existed 
among themselves, founded on a subscription from each, 
of one guinea per annum, from which fund, when they 
retired from their itinerancy, they were entitled to the 
receipt of that sum for every year they had traveled. This 
was, indeed, but a scanty provision for even the longest 
services ; but it was quite insufficient for such preachers 
as were early laid aside from active service, especially 
when it is remembered that this arose, in almost every 
instance, from the pressure of bodily affliction. 



190 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1798- Age 47. 



It appears that, seeing the evil in the case of many of 
his brethren, the late Doctor Adam Clarke took the subject 
into his serious consideration, and revolved a plan in his 
mind which he thought would meet the exigencies of the 
case. This he reduced to writing, and subjected the plan 
to the judgment of Mr. Moore, 

Mr. Moore and Mr. Adam Clarke were then stationed 
in Bristol; and after much mutual revision, it was resolved 
to submit this plan to the preachers and the people gene- 
rally, by calling a meeting for that purpose, which being 
done, Mr. Clarke obliged Mr. Moore to take the chair, 
who, after stating the object of the meeting, and the benefits 
expected to result from the adoption and support of the 
rules to be proposed, was followed by Mr. Clarke, who 
laid the whole plan before the assembly, by which it was 
fully approved, and its adoption seconded by subscriptions 
for carrying it out efficiently. 

The new plan differed from the old one in the following 
respects: whereas the former gave at the rate of forty 
pounds per annum, for forty years' active service, and con- 
sequently but ten pounds per annum for ten years' active 
itinerancy, the new plan proposed as follows : — 

That every new member pay into the fund of the society, 
on admission, the sum of ten pounds ten shillings, and an 
annual payment of three pounds three shillings : it is fur- 
ther enjoined — " That every member of this society who 
is considered as superannuated by the conference, shall, 
if he has traveled under the direction of the conference 
less than twenty years, receive annually twenty-four 
guineas. If he has so traveled twenty years, and less than 
twenty-five years, he shall receive annually thirty guineas. 
If he has so traveled twenty-five years, and less than thirty 
years, thirty-five guineas. If he has so traveled thirty 
years and less than thirty-five years, he shall receive an- 
nually forty guineas. If he has so traveled thirty-five 



im-Age 41. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



191 



years, or upward, he shall receive forty-five guineas. 
The payments to commence from the time at which the 
member is superannuated, and to be given every six 
months." The same sums are continued to the widows of 
such preachers who are members, under a slight modifica- 
tion of the same rules. 

The rules of the Wesleyan preachers' annuitant society, 
above referred to, had the approbation of the ensuing con- 
ference, and afterward were legally registered at "the 
general quarter sessions held in and for the city and county 
of Bristol, on the fifteenth day of July, 1799." In the 
year 1800 they were revised, and these alterations were 
again registered. In August, 1813, the rules of the an- 
nuitant society were again altered by the conference held 
in Liverpool, and it is believed they remain now as then 
established, permitting every preacher in full connection 
to become a member of it, if approved by a majority of the 
members of the society. 

Such a merciful, but slight maintenance was well insti- 
tuted, and it would have been imagined, none could object 
to it, nor have thought the preachers were very self-seeking 
by making such an arrangement. 

In its first establishment, it is true, the annual subscrip- 
tion had been but twenty-one shillings per annum, but 
the receipts were then proportionally smaller ; and hence 
arose the absolute necessity for increasing the amount of 
subscription also : and it is wonderful how any real Chris- 
tian mind could object to such a small retiring pension 
to men who had exhausted nearly all their physical 
strength, and often produced a prostration of mental energy, 
which unfitted them for pursuing any literary course that 
would increase a small income. Only its incapability of 
being made higher, from the smallness of its funds, renders 
it at all befitting the noble object its institution contem- 
plated. Merciful in each of its provisions, and entirely 



192 



LIFE OP HENRY MOORE. 



1798-^e 47. 



tending to alleviate the distressing condition of its mem- 
bers, this fund exclusively seeks to add support and comfort 
to those whose labors in the work of the ministry require 
them to retire from active duties, and also to abstain from 
secular pursuits. It is hoped, therefore, that the day is 
dawning which will throw such light upon the minds of 
the Wesleyan public, that they will, as the heart of one 
man, come forward to enable the funds of this institution 
to meet the exigencies of those worn-out servants of God 
who have, in their days of health, ministered to them in 
holy {hings, both in public and in private, and whose 
praise is still in the churches, and their record on high ! 

The equity, mercy, and reasonableness of this plan did 
not suffice to satisfy the senior preachers that it was a 
more excellent way : the prejudice of established usage, 
and the fear of all innovation, raised a spirit of uneasy 
discontent — as if aught more was sought than a simple 
mutual bearing of each other's burdens among the preachers, 
the strong helping to sustain the weak; but, however 
mistaken these objectors were, certain it is that merely 
discontent did exist ; and the consequence was, that Mr. 
Moore wrote the following letter, addressed to his friend, 
the Rev. Thomas Roberts, as an answer to the objections 
of the opponents of the new scheme. It was widely cir- 
culated, and had the desired effect of stopping every mouth 
that was opened against it. The rules were printed, with 
the names of Mr. Adam Clarke and Mr. Henry Moore 
annexed to them, and a vignette appeared on the title-page, 
representing a burning candle with the following motto, 
Alteri serviens consumor ; In serving others I am myself 
consumed. The letter is as follows : — 

Bath, December, 1798. 
Dear Brethren, — As I believe the good of many of 
our brethren is at present evil spoken of, and as my name 



im-Age 47. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



193 



happens to be affixed to a paper which it appears has 
stirred up the strife, I think it my duty to send you these 
few lines. 

You are informed by a letter sent into the circuits, that 
a new fund is established for the support of our super- 
annuated preachers and their widows. Is the fact so ? I 
know of no such thing : I would not contribute to any 
such fund ; though I greatly dislike the new rules of the 
preachers' fund, yet I would suffer any inconvenience 
rather than oppose that institution of the conference which 
is so greatly needed by many, and which is equally sup- 
ported by all. The exertions which J have made year 
after year to support the " annuity society" abundantly 
manifest this, and I believe every member of it is with me 
like-minded. 

When that society was first mentioned in Bristol, it 
had my hearty approbation, and I hope my brethren will 
bear with me while I tell them with all freedom why it 
did so. 

First. It appeared highly probable that I should need 
that " additional supply," which is the design of the insti- 
tution : my own property is very small, and I thank God 
I have not laid by one shilling of all which I have received 
in the Methodist connection to this day. 

Second. The fixed rules of the preachers' fund do not 
allow to any, except to those who have traveled many 
years, and to their widows, even a tolerable competence, 
and even they must be straitened if they have a family to 
support, and no fortune of their own. 

Third. The rule concerning mercy, to which undoubt- 
edly the money contributed by the people to the fund ought 
to be sacredly applied, is rendered comparatively of none 
effect, as the money is swallowed up by the operation of 
the fixed rules, or used for various exigencies. 

Fourth. I believe many of the brethren, whose shoes I 
9 



194 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



m&-Age47. 



am not worthy to bear, are still in worse circumstances 
than I am, and I should be glad to help them by every 
means in my power. 

Now it appeared to me, that " the preachers' annuity 
society" was a very innocent way to remedy all this in 
some degree : the proposal, therefore, as soon as I heard 
of it, had my hearty approbation, especially as a dread 
(whether in itself right or wrong) of my offending against 
that scripture, " Be ye not unequally yoked together with 
unbelievers," had kept me from entering into any " annuity 
society " in the kingdom. I cannot therefore but think, 
that to represent this institution as proceeding from a spirit 
of disunion, which I thank God I have always abhorred, 
and uniformly resisted, whether in friend or opponent, is 
equally injurious and unkind. I cannot conceive that any- 
thing can be more innocent, than for those who need an 
" additional supply" quietly to help each other with their 
own money : nor can anything be more evident, than the 
right such have to form whatever rules they may think 
proper and necessary for such a purpose, provided that 
they are not contrary to the rules of the connection. 

But I trust I am willing to receive information even 
concerning the right use of my own property, and espe- 
cially from the conference. 

I remain your sincerely affectionate brother, 

H. Moore. 

This temperate appeal entirely settled the question of 
the annuity society : the conference entered into the pro- 
position, and the fund was formed under its immediate 
sanction; — it has been, and it is hoped it will long continue 
to be, a blessing to the aged and infirm servants of God, 
and a solace to their widows when they are (often through 
the effects of excessive labor) " gone to that bourn whence 
no traveler returns." 



J 800-^e49. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



195 



There is no special mention made by Mr. Moore in any 
of his letters respecting the opening of the new century : 
he was settled in Liverpool at the time, and was happy 
and useful, as will appear from the following extract of a 
letter from Mrs. Blachford. 

This lady had been to London, and had taken Liverpool 
on her return to Dublin, in order to visit her much-esteemed 
friends, Mr. and Mrs. Moore. While in Liverpool, she 
had been persuaded to return to Dublin by the long sea 
passage, instead of going by the way of Holyhead, which 
had been her usual custom. 

That she had a most melancholy passage, will appear 
from the account of it which she addressed to her friends, 
from the Isle of Anglesea, where the vessel had been 
obliged to put in through stress of weather. The letter 
runs thus : — 

" As I promised to write to you, my dear and kind 
friends, immediately upon my landing, I do so from this 
desolate place, where I was cast last night, (Tuesday,) as 
it is uncertain when I shall reach Dublin. What a sudden 
transition did I experience from the society of your social, 
pious, and cheerful fireside, to the society of riotous, unholy 
men, who were admitted into the cabin ! nor would it 
appear that some of the women were much better, since 
one picked my pocket of my poor gold watch, which had 
been my companion more than thirty years. 

" The storm of thunder, lightning, and rain, came on so 
immediately after your departure, that I think you could 
scarcely be sheltered before it must have overtaken you, 
and it was succeeded by what I thought still more dreadful, 
and that was the violent threats and execrations of several 
of the passengers, who stormed at the captain for de- 
termining to cast anchor until the next tide, as he declared 
it unsafe to pass the rock in such squally weather: it 



196 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1800- Age 49. 



went so far,, that they threatened to seize the ship and 
manage her themselves ; but at length consented to com- 
promise the matter by his promise to sail as soon as 
possible, and they sat up playing cards till they should 
witness his compliance. Wednesday passed pretty well, 
but at night the south and westerly gale was so violent as 
to drive us opposite Anglesea, and they talked of landing 
us on the Isle of Man: in short all were terrified, and being 
very unwilling to go to the bottom in such company, I 
joined my entreaties to be put in somewhere either in 
Ireland or Wales ; however, he held out until Thursday 
evening, when almost all the provisions of the ship being 
exhausted, the captain consented to put inhere, a miserable 
bleak village, twenty-two miles from Holyhead, and as 
there are no post horses, I am forced to remain, being too 
ill to undertake another sea voyage until I have recovered 
from the effects of the last one. 

" This is, I think, the most dreary place I was ever in, — 
yet I thank God for my escape, and rejoice in being freed 
from my former companions, though I grieve for my poor 
old watch. You would probably not have been troubled 
with so circumstantial a narrative of my disasters, but that 
I am partly at a loss what to do, having neither book nor 
companion, — and the place being too wild, bleak, and 
barren, to tempt me abroad. 

" Such another three weeks as I spent under your roof, 
I expect never again to enjoy in this world ; I hope my 
spiritual profiting will appear, while I cannot but be sensible 
of, and thankful for, that cheerful tranquillity and social 
agreeableness united, which I enjoyed during my visit : 
for these mercies of my God I am thankful, and trust that 
by his grace my last days will be my best days. 

" Yours sincerely, 

" Theodosia Blachford. 

"May, 1800." 



*BQO-Age 49. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



197 



The conference for the year 1800 was held in London, 
which Mr. Moore attended, — the Rev. James Wood had 
been chosen president, and the Rev. Samuel Bradburn 
secretary. 

A short time previously to its assembling, the life of his 
majesty, King George III., had been attempted — happily 
unsuccessfully — by the unfortunate Hatfield ; and several 
of the preachers wished a congratulatory address to be 
presented to the king upon his providential escape from 
death. What part Mr. Moore took in this business will best 
appear by an extract from a letter which he wrote to his 
wife, dated 

" London, July 31, 1800. 

" On Tuesday, the question of addressing the king was 
agitated : some opposed, but not one upon the ground of dis- 
affection, but from an unwillingness to meddle with politics. 

" I proposed that the address which we insert in our 
Minutes every year should be made to express our senti- 
ments in the most Scriptural and loyal manner ; but I wished 
that we should not thus, viz. — by addressing the king — 
declare ourselves a separate people. It was, however, 
resolved that we should address, and a committee of five 
was ordered to be chosen, by ballot, to draw it up. 

" As I had not concurred in the wish to address, I thought 
it probable that I should have no more to do with it, but 
when the ballots were declared as follows, — Benson, 79 ; 
Moore, 73 ; Bradburn, 72 ; Clarke, 68 ; Pawson, 38 ; — we 
were declared the committee. Some of those appointed 
came to me, entreating that I would draw up an address 
previously to the meeting of the committee, as they wished 
that it should be Scriptural, simple, and have nothing to do 
with political matters. I wrote one in the course of the 
day at the conference table, which, far beyond what I 
expected, met with the unanimous approbation, first of the 
committee, and then of the conference. 



198 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1800-^ige 49. 



" I was then appointed with three others, to wait on the 
duke of Portland, the secretary of state, and make known 
our intentions : this was done, and the duke has most will- 
ingly consented to present the address, as the king has 
left town for Weymouth. The business is now settled, 
and the preachers all pleased. 

" I copy the address for your perusal. 

"TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. 

"May it please your Majesty : — We your majesty's 
dutiful and loyal subjects, the preachers of the gospel, late 
in connection with the Rev. John Wesley, deceased, being 
assembled in our fifty-seventh annual conference, beg leave 
to approach your majesty with that veneration which be- 
comes all the servants of the King of kings, to feel toward 
those whom he has appointed in his adorable providence 
to execute righteousness and judgment in the earth, and to 
express our abhorrence of the late atrocious attempt against, 
the life of your majesty, as also our thankfulness to al- 
mighty God for his gracious protection so manifestly 
extended toward your sacred person. 

" We humbly desire to express to your majesty, that we 
have, in conjunction with the people who are under our 
care, upon several occasions, united with others of your 
majesty's loyal subjects in testifying our sincere respect 
for, and attachment to, your majesty's person and govern- 
ment, and our detestation of all sedition and rebellion ; and 
we beg to repeat the same dutiful sentiments upon this 
occasion. We are determined to obey the sacred injunc- 
tions of the God whom we serve : ' To pray for kings and 
for all in authority : to be subject to every ordinance of 
man for the Lord's sake ; to obey magistrates ; to be ready 
for every good work ; and to lead a quiet and peaceable 
life, in all godliness and honesty.' 

" That almighty God may preserve your majesty from 



1800-Age 49. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



199 



every known and secret enemy, and long continue you as 
the father of your people, and the minister of God to us for 
good, is the ardent prayer of 

" Your majesty's loyal and affectionate subjects, 
" (Signed in behalf of the conference,) 

" James Wood, President. 

"July 30, 1800." 

In a subsequent letter Mr. Moore says, — " Conference is 
going on well, and ' peace is in all our borders.' Who, 
think you, is in London ? Mr. Alexander Knox, who has 
become acquainted with my host, Dr. Hamilton, at whose 
house we frequently meet, and he tells me much of his 
religious feelings. To-day I spoke strong words to him : 
I insisted on the absolute necessity of a deep conviction of 
our lost state by nature, and our actual breaking of the law 
of God, and that without coming by simple faith to Jesus 
as our atoning Saviour, and fully believing, and casting 
our whole souls on him for salvation, we must perish eter- 
nally. I had much comfort in speaking to him : I hope 
that he will so far leave his philosophy, as to come simply 
and truly to Christ. 

" I find that there are great efforts made to get me to 
Bristol, but I have spoken with all plainness that I am not 
free voluntarily to leave Liverpool : the more I think of those 
I love there, and of what the Lord has done, and is doing, 
I am the more convinced that it is not my duty to show 
any willingness to leave. 

" I know that you will approve of this, and that we shall 
be more useful the second, than the first year. Mr. Alexan- 
der Knox so hangs upon me that I know not how to tear 
myself away from him : he is almost daily at Dr. Hamil- 
ton's. As I cannot think of being on the road on the Lord's 
day, I shall not leave town till Monday. Our address to 
the king is in the Gazette of to-day." 



200 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1801-AgebO. 



Toward the close of this year it appears that Mr. Moore's 
friend, Mrs. Blachford, wrote to him on the occasion of the 
death of his much-loved niece, Betsy Rutherford, a child of 
nine years old, who had departed this life true in the faith 
and hope of the gospel : on this subject Mrs. Blachford 
thus expresses herself : — 

" Your last letter — containing the affecting relation of the 
death of dear Betsy Rutherford — was, on many accounts, 
very interesting to me, and I feel anxious to hear how her 
poor mother is, after so afflicting a dispensation : but she 
has this comfort, that her child is safe beyond all the evils 
and the snares of life. O, my dear friend, you can have 
no conception of what I feel in reference to my own dear 
children ! But though often in heaviness on this subject, 
still I hope in and pray for them to God : and encourage 
myself in the knowledge, that although they have entered 
much into the world, still earnest prayer is almost ever as- 
cending for them, and that they are encircled within the 
arm of Omnipotence." 

That Mrs. Blachford was not only a very kind, but a 
very anxious mother, will still further appear from her 
letters addressed to Mr. Moore in the following year, 1801. 

In March, she writes : — 

" My poor Mary (afterward Mrs. Henry Tighe) is in a 
precarious state of health, and has been twice on the bor- 
ders of the grave within the last two months : many serious 
thoughts spring up within her mind, from the tremendous 
situation in which she has been so lately placed. If I 
could express to you my whole heart, in reference to my 
children, you would surely think that the Lord had a con- 
troversy with me." 

Again, in her next communication, Mrs. Blachford — 
addressing mutually Mr. and Mrs. Moore — says, " However 
sensible I am of the worthlessness of my letters, I cannot 
drop your correspondence ; for indeed I never get a letter 



1801-^50. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



201 



from either of my dear friends without feeling my heart 
cheered, and in some degree my hope revived, that we 
shall by and by meet where ' life is all retouched again.' 
My dear son is still a wanderer ; the last accounts were 
from Dresden, on their way home — but they have lost their 
infant, and purpose remaining on the continent another year. 
My ever-dear Mary seldom leaves home, and amuses her- 
self in writing light productions, though they are always 
composed with elegance, and breathe tenderness of senti- 
ment. I will procure a frank, and inclose some of them 
to you as a specimen. 

" She has also finished an epic poem, containing five 
thousand lines, and the judges say that the poem has ex- 
traordinary merit. It is the allegorical story of Psyche : 
I am sure you will say a hearty Amen to my dear sister's 
lines to her, in reply to her verses : both of which I 
inclose. 

" I see a good deal of your old friend, Lady Ann Talbot, 
(the sister of Lord Glendore, and cousin of Mrs. Blachford :) 
her daughter resides with her, as her husband is not ex- 
pected to return to England from India for these three 
years : Lady Ann's infant grandchild is their joy and amuse- 
ment. Poor Mr. Henry Brooke is still a great sufferer: 
your friend, Mr. Alexander Knox, has been exceedingly 
kind and attentive to him. For myself I can, thank God, 
say, that my health is good, and that the task I two years 
ago undertook, while it provides me with constant employ- 
ment, affords me at the same time much more pleasure 
than pain or inconvenience. From many an anxious 
thought, 'the House of Refuge' has been a 'Refuge' to 
me, and it is itself prospering beyond all my hopes and 
expectations." 

It may here be remarked, that Mr. Henry Brooke, men- 
tioned in the preceding letter, was a gentleman well known 
as an artist, in Dublin, but still more celebrated as the 
9* 



202 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1801-Age 50. 



nephew of the gentleman of the same name, and author of 
Henry, Earl of Moreland ; or, the Fool of Quality, a work 
still held deservedly high in the public estimation, among 
works of that class. A more particular account of this 
gentleman will not be uninteresting. 

Henry Brooke was the son of the Rev. Brooke, 

who held the two livings of Killinkere and Moybollogue. 
In this wild, and almost uninhabited spot, he continued to 
reside twenty-two years : Killinkere is hilly and moun- 
tainous, the former covered with heath and brier, — not a 
tree was near his house to shelter a traveler from a 
shower ; nor a hedge under which he might rest himself, 
and the road so bad as to be almost impassable in the win- 
ter ; his house stood on a barren spot ; the only improve- 
ment near it was a little garden with a few stunted elms : 
he was a little man — remarkably neat in his person, and 
his manners full of suavity — oval face — fair complexion, 
and eyes full of fire. He died in 1788, aged eighty-two. 
His son Henry was for some years educated by Felix Com- 
erford, in the neighborhood of Killinkere, where he was 
born : he passed rapidly through Dr. Sheridan's school, and 
Trinity College, Dublin, and then entered the Temple, 
London, in his seventeenth year : he was called to the bar 
in Dublin, and practiced as chamber counselor : he mar- 
ried his ward, Miss Mears, and removed to Twickenham, 
near London, in 1737, but returned to his own native land 
again, not being able to support the expense of a London 
life, associated as he was with persons of high rank, but 
who, being in the opposition, could procure for him no 
place, or preferment, to meet his necessary expenditure. 
He then removed to a farm called " Killebegs," county 
Kildare, but in 1774 left it for Longfield, county Cavan, 
where his brother Robert resided. Here he wrote his 
History of Henry, Earl of Moreland. His wife died ; and 
whether caused by this affliction or no, — certain it is, that 



1802-Age5l. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



203 



this amiable man sunk into a state of mental and bodily 
suffering. 

The first edition of his work was mismanaged after it 
was printed, but a reprint was published by subscription, 
in Dublin, by his daughter Charlotte, in the year 1792. 

The author habituated himself to arrange and dispose 
the plot of the story of The Earl of Moreland, while taking 
his daily exercise on horseback : to his nephew, who in- 
variably accompanied him, he used to narrate the tale as he 
proceeded in his imaginary history ; and assured of the 
fidelity of his kinsman's memory, the author would, from 
time to time, leave the part thus committed, without any 
further care for its preservation, and proceed in his work 
of creation, till a convenient time arrived for his drawing 
forth his literary deposit from the store-house of his 
nephew's faithful memory, and then, in committing it to 
writing, he would shade by his own imagination the bold 
outlines portrayed thus before his mind's eye. It is be- 
lieved that, from the many amiable traits in the disposition 
and character of the nephew, the uncle sketched some of 
the best features in his history and delineation of the 
character of the " Earl of Moreland." 

Theodosia, the only daughter of Mr. Henry Brooke, 
junior, married F. H. Holdcraft, Esquire, of Dublin, an 
early and attached friend of the late Dr. Adam Clarke, 
to whom also her father, Mr. Henry Brooke, was person- 
ally known. 

In the month of October, 1802, Mrs. Blachford, in a 
letter to Mr. Moore, thus writes of her still afflicted friend : 

"My Dear Friend, — Mr. Henry Brooke is daily sinking 
in health, but his mind is resigned, cheerful, and patient : 
it is a good lesson to see his Christian meekness and 
passive endurance. 

" My daughter, with whom I was sitting tete a tete when 



204 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1802-^c51. 



your last letter arrived, I thought listened to its perusal with 
peculiar interest and earnestness. My son is at Prague, 
in Germany. 

" Pray for us all, my dear Mr. Moore, when you are 
communing and supplicating in your closet with the God 
of all grace." 

During Mr. Moore's second year of itinerancy in Liver- 
pool, his firm but kindly discipline insured him the respect 
and esteem of the people ; and at the same time kept in 
check much of that uneasy feeling which, had it not been 
for this double safeguard, would probably have occasioned 
considerable dissatisfaction, if not partial schism, owing to 
the high tone assumed by some of the leading men of the 
society. 

In the discharge of Mr. Moore's ministerial duties, he 
never sought merely to please man ; and consequently his 
spirit and conduct were not "brought into bondage through 
the fear of man." The path of his duty he pursued as 
in the sight of God, and he followed what he deemed to 
be the most excellent way, irrespective of every motive 
and feeling but that of conscious integrity. He found 
nine hundred members in the circuit, and he left upward 
of one thousand seven hundred. 



1802-Age 51. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



205 



BOOK V. 

FROM HIS LEAVING LIVERPOOL TO MRS. MOORE'S DEATH. 
[1803—1813.] 

About this time there appeared a severe pamphlet 
against the Methodists, written by the Rev. John Walker, 
fellow of Trinity College, Dublin, a copy of which Alex- 
ander Knox, Esq., sent, accompanied by an unsealed letter 
from himself to the author on the subject of his publica- 
tion, with the following note, to Mr. Moore : — 

I send to you my letter to Mr. Walker in reference to 
the inclosed pamphlet : when you have read it, seal, and 
send it to him : thus you will have a long letter from me, 
though unable to address you myself to-day. My sincere 
regards to Mrs. Moore. I am, my dear friend, 
Yours affectionately and gratefully, 

Alexander Knox. 

To this short note, with the pamphlet accompanying 
it, Mr. Moore returned the following reply : — 

Dear Sir, — Very glad was I to receive a few lines 
from you. I thank you for your note, and for your kind- 
ness in forwarding to me the Rev. John Walker's pamphlet. 
I hope you will stand in the gap, and in case of your 
writing a reply be more than able to meet his principles. 
I confess myself disappointed in Mr. Walker's pamphlet : 
I had expected something new, or at least a little older, in 
the matter of his attack, as well as somewhat different 
from those of Messrs. Toplady, Hill, and Berridge : but 
he has followed them both in arguments and language, 



206 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1802-Age 51. 



and sometimes almost verbatim. How fully has Mr. 
Fletcher answered all the refinements to which Mr. 
Walker has had recourse ! no wonder then that he almost 
anathemizes that great and good man. 

He is rather querulous, too, upon the unkind reception 
which he tells us he expects his principles to meet with 
from the generality of men ; and I think he artfully contrasts 
them with those of Mr. Wesley in this respect : but he 
mistakes — Mr. Wesley was much more hated by the world 
than Mr. Walker is, or is ever likely to be ; and for good 
reason, Mr. Walker does not bear a full testimony against 
sin : if the Pharisaic world will hate Mr. Walker, the 
Antinomian world will not : Mr. Wesley was hated by both. 

Blessed are they who keep in the book which tells us 
that God is loving to every man, and that Christ died for 
every man : we will leave it to Him who says so, to clear 
up the difficulties : we have no doubt that when he does 
so, he will be justified in his saying. Will you have the 
goodness to send me anything which you write hereafter ? 
My wife joins me in respects and all good wishes. I 
am, dear sir, 

Your greatly obliged and affectionate servant, 

H. Moore. 

It may be observed, in reference to this subject, that the 
Rev. John Walker was a fellow of Trinity College, Dublin, 
and that subsequently he published a pamphlet against the 
church, styling its establishment " carnal," and its " ritual 
an evil." 

It appears that not only Mr. Alexander Knox, but the 
Rev. John Jebb, afterward bishop of Limerick, replied to 
this pamphlet ; on which latter publication Mr. Alexander 
Knox observes, in one of his letters published in The 
Thirty Years' Correspondence between these great men, 
" I have seen and read with much pleasure your letter to 



180Z-Age51. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



207 



Mr. Walker. What I particularly admire in it is, that 
while you abundantly establish everything you contend for, 
you do it with all meekness and gentleness : there is none 
of the gall of controversy in your book. 

" What extremely odd opinions poor Walker has im- 
bibed ! I did not think that the highest Calvinism went so 
far. Is it certain that his brain is sound V 

Shortly after the publication of Mr. Walker's pamphlet 
against the church, he was cited before the provost of 
Trinity College, and as the pamphlet was anonymous, he 
was asked, "Are you, Mr. Walker, the author of this 
book?" To which he replied, " I am." " But, sir," it was 
subjoined, " I hope that after a little calm reflection you 
are prepared to express yourself as sorry for its sentiments 
and principles." " Indeed, sir, I am not ; I hold them all 
firmly." " Then," replied the provost, " I have no alterna- 
tive but to expel you from the fellowship of the university." 

Mr. Walker professed himself as willing to suffer for 
what he believed righteousness' sake. " Sir," said the 
provost, " you were elected to your fellowship in order to 
support the church should she be attacked by any party, 
in which case it is expected that its spiritual fellows would 
by argument, and the use of the press, vindicate her faith 
and observances ; but you have done exactly the reverse : 
the lay fellows of our college watch over its legal concerns, 
while the spiritual fellows are expected to be equally alive 
to its spiritual concerns. Sir, I must expel you if you 
persist in maintaining the sentiments contained in your 
pamphlet." Mr. Walker persevered in his declared senti- 
ments, and consequently he was expelled. 

He afterward established himself over a congregation 
like-minded, where, setting all observances aside, he merely 
walked into the chapel, took his text, expounded it, and then 
immediately retired without any kind of devotional service. 

This infatuation did not long continue : the congregation 



208 LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 53. 



was scattered : and in the end this learned but speculative 
schoolman ended his days amidst neglect, unhappiness, and 
want ! Alas for human refinements upon divine things ! 

At the conference held in London, in the year 1804, the 
subject of this memoir was chosen president, and Dr. 
Coke secretary, when Mr. Moore was stationed at Birm- 
ingham. In the spring of this year Dr. Whitehead had 
died, and the trustees of the City Road chapel requested 
the Rev. Joseph Benson to preach a funeral sermon for 
him ; which request was opposed by some of the preachers, 
and not cordially complied with by Mr. Benson, as appears 
from the following extract of a letter from the Rev. Thos. 
Rutherford to Mr. Moore : — 

" Mr. Benson has been strongly urged to preach Dr. 
Whitehead's funeral sermon, to which some of us were 
opposed on account of his last act, [viz., the retaining some 
valuable papers belonging to the trust:] but the preachers 
generally objected to its being afterward published ; to 
which Mr. Benson replied, 'that he would not make 
it worth printing.' 

" Many of the people disapprove of the trustees having 
had Dr. Whitehead buried in Mr. Wesley's vault : but few 
I believe know that the doctor had retained a part of Mr. 
Wesley's papers ; I am sure I thought he had given them 
all up. For some years past I have seen much I could 
not approve of among us as Christians and brethren, and 
have thought a hundred times of an expression you 
mentioned to me of Mr. Fletcher, that i he thought the 
generality of Christians are not in a spiritual state superior 
to that of the disciples before the day of Pentecost.' " 

It appears that about this time Mr. Moore had paid a 
short visit to London, (probably during the conference,) 
where Mrs. Blachford then was with her son, and Mr. and 
Mrs. Tighe, who had been induced to come to town in the 
hope that the medical practitioners there might be able to 



1$0±-Age53. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



209 



effect a cure of Mrs. Henry Tighe's complaint — an acute 
rheumatic affection — which the faculty elsewhere had 
failed to accomplish. 

Hope and love are ever sanguine ; and where wealth is 
available, as in this case, every probable source of relief 
was joyfully sought, in order to lengthen a life so dear to 
her friends, and so interesting to all. Nor is it otherwise 
than interesting still, since she has left behind her a poem 
of such rare genius (Psyche,) as must immortalize '. her 
• poetic powers, while it breathes not only the true spirit of 
the muse, but some of the noblest and purest sentiments 
of Christian virtue. 

The memorials of this amiable lady's life are too few, 
for the reader not to wish for any information which can, 
through her friend Mr. Moore, be gained respecting her. 

Writing to Mr. and Mrs. Moore from Chelsea, where 
they had taken up their temporary abode, Mrs. Blachford 
says, " Do I flatter myself too much, my dear friends, in 
supposing that amidst your numerous and important avoca- 
tions, you sometimes say to each other, ' What has become 
of Mrs. Blachford and her poor child?' My dear Mary 
is, I think, just as you left her ; her disorder continues 
unabated. I believe my son John, his wife, and child, did 
not arrive till after you had left town : at their earnest 
entreaty, and the advice of the physicians, Harry and Mary 
were prevailed upon to relinquish their purpose of returning 
to Ireland: Dr. Vaughan assured us that she could not 
attempt such a journey without extreme danger. By her 
brother's invitation, they are to be his guests during the 
winter : I insisted on living separate ; their company 
neithet suits my views, tastes, nor habits. I have, how- 
ever, obtained lodgings within a few doors of their house : 
both dwellings face the Thames, and we are only a 
pleasant mile's walk from Mr. Wesley's chapel. Mr. 
Rutherford is but poorly: there I met Mrs. Mortimer; 



210 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1805-^e 54. 



it is the first time I had seen her since her change of 
name. 

" Here I have great leisure, and all that interests my 
time and thought is sadly connected with that grave to 
which some of us are hastening ; for I continually look 
upon my child as one who is gradually sinking into it ; 
nor do I ever hear of death or the tomb, that her situation 
does not strike home upon my heart. Can you say 
anything that will do me good ? I much need it. Or do 
you know any one here at all like yourselves ? I wish 
some pious people to converse with, and though I can- 
not now hope to conciliate affection, still they might per- 
haps do me good. Adieu, my dear friends. Pray for my 
dear Mary, and for 

" Your truly grateful and affectionate 

" Theodosia Blachford." 

Mr. Moore remained in Birmingham two years, with 
satisfaction to himself and with profit to the people ; and 
the pious habits and amiable qualities of Mrs. Moore 
caused her not only to be much loved, but made her very 
useful, by her spiritual advice and judicious counsel, among 
her own sex : a minister's wife should ever thus be his 
help-mate in holy things. 

During the course of the year 1805, Mr. Moore heard 
frequently from Mrs. Blachford ; and in the spring of this 
year, writing concerning Mrs. Henry Tighe, she says, — 
" I think my dear Mary is a little better ; her husband 
wishes to take her to Lisbon, but I cannot bear the thought; 
nor would she go without me : for her final recover}* I 
have no hope, nor do I think it possible without a miracle, 
— and the miracle my heart sighs for, is that of which 
Elihu speaks : ' He looketh upon men, and if any say, I 
sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited 
me not ; he will deliver his soul from going into the pit, 



1805-Age54. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



211 



and his life shall see the light. Lo, all these things 
worketh God oftentimes with man, to bring back his soul 
from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living. , 
Job xxxiii, 27-30, It is a fine passage, and not much 
preached from ; at least I never heard a sermon from it, 
though it has often appeared to me as more expressive of 
the conversion and regeneration of the soul than almost 
any other passage in the Old Testament." 

Writing again, Mrs. Blachford says: — 

" O what have I suffered since I wrote last to you ! A 
few weeks ago we thought all was over with my poor child ; 
but it has pleased God to grant her a reprieve, but again 
she is in the usual declining state of health ; yet she does 
not like to hear of dying, though at times she speaks as if 
apprehensive of her dissolution, and I never attempt to 
deceive her in this respect ; but the thought of her leaving 
the world insensible of the hopes of the gospel brings to 
my mind at times such a kind of anguish, that I feel 
assured, were it to last, it would deprive me of my under- 
standing." 

Shortly after this Mrs. Blachford writes : — 
" My dear Mary is a little better, and the fine weather 
has enabled her to ride out : I am much interested for her 
bodily health, but God knows my deepest solicitude is for her 
spiritual health. Pray for my poor children ; they are both 
suffering heavily, and yet my son has health, wealth, and 
all the joy this world's affluence can give, and a dear 
little promising boy : but as my brother Richard says, he 
carries that arrow in his heart that will never be with- 
drawn till he turns to the true Physician for ease. His 
kindness to his sister is quite exemplary ; but still they 
support each other in what may be termed philosophy. 
In reference to Mary, my greatest satisfaction arises from 
her having particularly marked some of the psalms in her 
Bible, especially some verses in the one hundred and 



212 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1805- Age 54. 



seventh psalm ; but I am sure her literary taste has been 
very injurious to her faith, for almost every modern admired 
production is more or less tinctured with infidelity." 

" The physicians have had a consultation, and advised 
Mary's going to Madeira for the winter : her husband and 
brother urge her to go : I only say that I am ready : how- 
ever, she is steadily decided in her resolution to prefer 
death at home, rather than the thought of going abroad : 
on retiring to rest she said to her attendant, ' I wonder, 
am I really to die this winter V " 

About this time, Mr. Henry Tighe had his wife's beauti- 
ful poem of Psyche printed for presents to her friends, in a 
most beautiful type, in miniature quarto, and having deter- 
mined not to go abroad, but to return to Ireland, they 
took Birmingham in their way, in order to consult an 
eminent physician in that town on the case of Mrs. Henry 
Tighe. 

Mr. and Mrs. Moore had left Birmingham a little before 
this ; but a copy of this poem, inscribed by Mrs. Tighe, 
" Affectionately to her friend Henry Moore," they left to be 
conveyed to him, with the accompanying note from Mrs. 
Blachford : — 

"August 27, 1805. 
" With some hesitation, both on dear Mary's part and 
my own, this book is left for you, my dear friend, having 
had a few copies of it printed to give those she felt herself 
particularly bound to, either by affection or gratitude : thus 
she was unwilling to omit you, though she desires me to 
say she ' is not so blind as to think it worth such a portion 
of your time as it will take you in its perusal.' I cannot 
but wish you to read it, and to accept it as a token of her 
peculiar regard. I knew not of its being in the press, till 
I saw the proof-sheet containing the lines addressed to 
myself; she was at the time, as I thought, within a few 
hours of death, and what I felt on reading them was indeed 



1805-^e 54. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE, 



213 



to me shame and agony. She has received great flattery 
from the literati on its account, and I need not say it serves 
to amuse her. We are to proceed at once to Holy-head ; 
I tremble at the undertaking." 

To this note Mr. Moore wrote the following reply, dated, 

Leeds, November 22d, 1805. 

Dear Madam, — I have received the highly-prized pre- 
sent, and with it, in the title-page, " words of such sweet 
breath composed, as made the gift more rich." It is a 
flattering present : from the specimens I had seen of the 
poem, I expected much from it as a whole, but I must say, 
though perhaps it is no compliment, that it far, yea very far 
exceeds my expectation. You say the author has had 
many flattering testimonies respecting her work : I do not 
feel very ready to think that they can have said too much : 
but from what I know of the state of the author's health, 
my heart is wrung whenever I recollect the concluding 
stanza of the poem of Psyche. 

I really think the poem itself exceeds any modern pub- 
lication that I have seen ; and is far beyond Thomson's 
Castle of Indolence. And did the kind donor say that she 
could not expect me to read it over ? What will she say 
then when I tell her, that I have read it throughout twice ! 
some passages often, and never without tears. 

O may He who is indeed love, give her to realize all her 
"dreams of delight" in reconciliation and union with him- 
self, through Him who is our peace, and who humbled 
himself to death for her, and for us all. Amen, and Amen. 

The Lord be with you, dear madam, and with our kind 
and beloved friend, and show mercy to each, and all of the 
family. My wife unites her kind wishes and regards to 
those of, dear madam, 

Your affectionate friend, 

H. Moore. 



214 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1805-Age 54. 



The concluding stanza, referred to in the preceding letter, 
is the following affecting apostrophe : — 

" Dreams of delight, farewell ! Your charms no more 
Shall gild the hours of solitary gloom ! 
The page remains—but can the page restore 
The vanquish'd bowers which fancy taught to bloom I 
Ah, no ; her smiles no longer can illume 
The path my Psyche treads no more for me ; 
Consign'd to dark oblivion's silent tomb, 
The visionary scenes no more I see, 
Fast from the fading lines the vivid colors flee !" 

In reply to the above letter, Mrs. Blachford writes : — 
" I will not delay answering my dear friend's kind letter, 
lest you should think that my silence was occasioned by a 
sadder cause than my daily-increasing aversion to taking 
up the pen. You can scarcely imagine how much my 
poor Mary was gratified by the kindness, as well as by the 
flattery contained in your letter ; indeed, I think she seemed 
more pleased with it than by any of the numerous letters 
which she has had upon the subject, though they were at 
least equally lavish of their encomiums, and that too from no 
less judges than Haley, Miss Seward, and several others. 
Mary has begged your letter from me, and says she must 
keep it among her treasures, adding with a sigh, ' The good 
people are very kind to me.' 

" After a residence at my brother's seat, Rossana, she 
has returned to Dublin, and seems patiently, nay, even 
cheerfully, resigned to the idea of being shut up in the 
house all the winter — possibly for life. I wish I could say 
something more animating in reference to her state of 
mind ; but I do hope that her patient resignation will ripen 
into the full faith and hope of the gospel. She does not 
suffer such acute pain as formerly, but she is very weak, 
and much reduced every way. She begs that you will 
send me your critical remarks upon her poem of Psyche : 



1806-Age55. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



215 



for my part, I think the fable from which the poem is taken 
is evidently an allegory, and that in the whole long poem 
which she has produced from the few pages of an old 
author, there are very few lines that are not applicable 
to the Cupid of Quarle's Emblems ; the second stanza, be- 
ginning with, ' And ye whose gentle hearts,' is so evidently 
apposite that I think it can scarcely escape the notice of 
any Christian as bearing upon the foundation of our holy 
hope, and security for a blessed immortality. 

" Poor Mr. Henry Brooke is still a daily sufferer, but 
perfectly resigned and patient. Do not forget to send soon 
your critical remarks upon Psyche. 

" Your grateful and affectionate friend, 

" Theodosia Blachford. 

"November 27, 1805." 

In the summer of the year 1 806 Mr. Moore removed to 
Leeds. During this year the Rev. John Pawson died, of 
whom the late Rev. John Barber says, in a letter to Mr. 
Moore, speaking of his death :— - 

" Our highly-esteemed father Pawson is gone to his 
great reward : may our last end be like his ! Amen." 

After Mr. Pawson's death, Mr. Moore writes thus : — 

" I visited him often, our relative abodes being Wake- 
field and Leeds : he was ever glad to see me, and exceed- 
ingly affectionate in his manner toward me. He made me 
promise to preach his funeral sermon ; it was afterward 
printed in my volume of Sermons. I also shared with 
about thirty other preachers — his most beloved among the 
brethren — in a legacy of one guinea each, which, as a mark 
of respect from so good a man, I highly prize ; for it might 
be said of him, as was said of Bishop Cranmer, ' That with 
an alloy of human weakness, he might well be ranked with 
the primitive Christians.' " 

To this year's catalogue of deaths among the aged minis- 



216 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1806-Age 55, 



ters in the Wesleyan body, must be added that of the Rev. 
Thomas Rutherford ; writing of which event to his wife, 
Mr. Moore says 5 — 

" Our dear brother Rutherford having died in London, 
his name was first called over in the catalogue of our 
departed brethren, and the conference desired me to draw 
up the short account usually inserted in our Minutes. So 
I wrote the following : — 

" Thomas Rutherford labored in the work of the 
ministry about thirty-four years, and, after suffering much 
bodily affliction with a submission and fortitude which, 
flowing from faith and love, were the savor of life to those 
who conversed with him, bore a testimony with his 
dying breath to the truth and power of those doctrines 
which he had so long preached, and declared them to be 
his support and his comfort. 

" His ministerial abilities were very considerable, and 
his manner of preaching peculiarly energetic and affecting; 
ever accompanied by a divine unction, especially to those 
who were thirsting after full conformity to the image of 
God. His conduct also, from the beginning to the end of 
his course, was in the highest degree unblamable and 
upright." 

On this melancholy occasion, Mr. Moore also addressed 
the following letter to his afflicted sister-in-law : — 

" I have frequently thought of writing to my beloved 
sister since I was made acquainted with her great loss. 
But even now I can hardly attempt it, though impelled by 
the fear of being thought not sufficiently sensible of her 
affliction. Indeed, my dear sister, in your loss, my own is 
great, nor do I think it will ever be repaired in this world, 
— yours, then, I cannot lightly esteem. It is its heaviness 
which has kept me from writing ; and it would still keep 
me, for I cannot write a customary letter of condolence : 



1806-Age 55. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE 



217 



while I feel my own loss, I can truly say, I feel yours in 
a tenfold degree. 

" We have but one comfort — it is the Lord ; and he who 
gave, and hath taken away, (blessed be his name,) will 
repair our loss in the day of the restitution of all things : 
known unto God are all his works, and he doth not willingly 
grieve nor afflict the children of men. He has removed 
the husband and the father ; but he stands himself, by 
special promise, in the place of my inestimable friend in 
both respects and characters ; and he will make good the 
relation — he has no empty titles ! Look up ; you and your 
dear children can now address him as your husband and 
father, with a feeling and confidence that you never could 
before, and he will never leave you, nor forsake you. 
The father has now joined his two dear children in glory ! 
—-this thought yields me comfort, and lightens that load 
of wo I felt at their death ; and which, especially for 
Betsy's, amounted to what I fear was little short of rebellion 
against God's providence. Already the fond father has 
some of his dear children with him, — all is well ! Thanks 
be to God for his gospel, for we learn that we are not 
to sorrow as those without hope ; for we know that those 
who sleep in Jesus, God will bring with him : we shall 
not only be with Christ, but, according to Christ's own 
account, we shall be with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, 
and, by consequence, with all those who die in the 
Lord. 

" In the visions of the night, or in dreams upon my 
bed, I have been permitted to see my friend since his 
departure : he seemed in company with Messrs. John and 
Charles Wesley. They spoke much and familiarly with 
me, as in the body : he spoke not, but looked unutterable 
love : in departing, and waving his adieu, the indescribable 
impression made upon my mind was, that he would be one 
appointed to receive my departing spirit. Lord, grant it, 
10 



218 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. lSOl-Age 56. 



if it be thy blessed will ! To his almighty care I commit 
you and yours ! 

" My dear sister, when you can write, I shall be happy 
to receive a few lines 3 and any directions or intelligence 
you can give me shall be diligently attended to, by 

" Your sympathizing and affectionate brother, 

" H. Moore." 

Mr. Moore remained two years in Leeds ; but his wife's 
health was much affected, which was a source of much 
anxiety and disquietude to him ; for they were one in soul, 
as well as affinity ; and his letters to her during her absence 
from him, for the sake of her health, at Bath, breathe not 
only the tenderest, but the most thoughtful, solicitude for 
her every comfort ; and in return she fully felt and appre- 
ciated the love he bore her, mingling her own with the 
devotion of the highest personal respect. 

But to return to Mrs. Henry Tighe. 

It is a painful task to trace year after year the life of 
such a highly-gifted lady, only from one degree of suffering 
to another ; but such was the sad story for six successive 
years, till at length she lost all power of motion : but Mrs. 
Blachford still observed of her, in a letter to her old friends, 
Mr. and Mrs. Moore, — 

" In my Mary's bodily health I see but little variation ; 
if one day she is a little better, the next she is worse ; yet 
she appears resigned to the expectation of never being 
really better while she remains on earth : she is cheerful, 
and continues to amuse herself with some literary trifle ; 
so that I believe she says the truth in asserting, ' That her 
mother feels more for her than she does for herself.' " 

Again, writing to Mr. Moore in the month of September 
of this year, 1808, Mrs Blachford says : — 

" I have accompanied my dear Mary and Henry to 
Woodstock, the princely seat of his eldest brother : here 



1808-^e 57. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



219 



we are perfectly quiet, as its owner has gone with his 
wife and daughter to Bath, in quest of health, and are not 
to return till after the next session of parliament. [He 
was member for the county of Wicklow.] It is long since 
I was here before : and it recalls to my mind, in a lively 
manner, many of my then vain hopes and idle solicitudes : 
thought seems to awaken Gambold's Mystery of Life with 
power to my spirit ; and the exquisite beauty of the grounds 
of this domain fill my mind with delightful admiration, and 
in looking upon all around me I can humbly say, ' My 
Father made them all,' and with this feeling the varied 
scenery seems still more enlivening to my soul, and it 
mounts from natural, elevated, and delighted sensation, to 
the joys of heaven. Mary is enjoying the quiet and the 
beauty of the place ; and for her sake I shall leave with a 
sigh, a little sigh, its tranquil beauty, but not the luxurious 
style of this establishment : my taste for that is gone, and 
for ever." 

In Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Hall's Ireland, on the second 
page of the second volume, speaking of " Woodstock," 
it is said : — 

" There are few seats in Great Britain so richly en- 
dowed by nature, or so improved by science and taste, 
as that of Woodstock. 

" The rarest shrubs of various foreign lands are skillfully 
mingled with ' old patrician trees,' that have been rooted 
there for centuries ; while the ' plebeian underwood,' that 
fills every sequestered nook, seems ' in place ' in the midst 
of cultivation, for it prevents the eye from discovering a 
single spot of nakedness. Into the broad river that skirts 
the banks a score of tributary streams are rushing ; now 
and then a miniature cataract falls down lesser precipicef 
occasionally forming a placid basin, where the trout may 
be seen basking or at play ; or rippling onward through, or 
beneath, overhanging boughs, making the sweet and gentle 



220 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1809-ilge58. 



music that, more than any other earthly sound, cheers and 
calms at once. 

" Little valleys and small hills, undulating slopes and 
rough precipices, steps formed by the roots of aged oaks, 
rocks shaped by the hand of time into forms grotesque — 
such are a few of the varied gifts with which nature has 
bountifully enriched Woodstock. 

"Art has been busy among them, but with so rare a 
skill, that it seems to have labored always under the 
direction and control of nature. 

" On two or three of the heights, and also immediately 
skirting the river, graceful and picturesque cottages have 
been erected ; the former command magnificent views of 
the distant mountains and the adjacent valleys, while from 
the windows of the latter may be seen the salmon leaping 
literally £ in shoals.' The gardens that adjoin the house 
are happily contrasted with the natural luxuriance of the 
ground — the beds are formal and of artificial character, but 
filled to abundance with flowers from all parts of the world. 
It is impossible for either the pen or pencil to render justice 
to this fascinating place. 

" Amid these ' delicate marvels ' the accomplished au- 
thoress of Psyche spent many years : here the sweetest of 
her poems were composed, and here she died in the spring 
of the year 1810, bequeathing to the world a volume of 
pure thoughts, conveyed in graceful and eloquent verse. 

" We found in an 1 Album 1 deposited in one of the cot- 
tages, where visitors are expected to insert their names, 
the following epigram : — 

' Here in this happy Eden of our earth, 

Dwelling with nature and her holy train, 
A mortal woman gave a spirit birth, 

And ' Psyche' made immortal once again.' " 

In the year 1809 Mr. and Mrs. Moore removed to the 



1809-yl£e 58. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



221 



London west circuit, where they had been earnestly- 
solicited to take up their abode. 

From time to time he still received an account from 
Mrs. Blachford respecting her sick daughter. In a letter, 
dated March, of this year, Mrs. Blachford says : — 

" I was glad to receive your hand-writing, and thank you 
for all your sympathy. My poor Mary is no better : but 
the immediate object of my writing is to request your kind 
inquiries at head quarters respecting the fate of Ensign 
Charles Ward, of the Fifty-second Foot, who was in October 
last left in charge of some sick and wounded at Coimbra, 
near Lisbon : the youth is only seventeen years of age, 
and is the darling son of a valued friend of mine, Mrs. 
Charles Ward, daughter of my dear brother-in-law, the 
late Dr. Radcliffe." 

Of this gentleman, Mr. Moore once narrated the following 
anecdote, as given him by Mrs. Blachford:— 

It appears that this lady's husband, the Rev. John Blach- 
ford, had two sisters : the eldest married Dr. Radcliffe, 
one of the judges of the Irish Prerogative Court ; and the 
other remaining single, resided with her sister and brother- 
in-law. She was much afflicted in body, but of an amiable 
spirit, and very sincere in her religious observances. Mrs. 
Blachford was much attached to her, and often used to 
converse with her on the subject of experimental religion : 
she heard, but was slow of heart to believe the privileges of 
the gospel, especially concerning the witness of the Spirit. 

Her affliction was of a nature to confine her for a great 
length of time to her bed, and then Dr. Radcliffe used, 
every morning previously to his going to court, to read the 
service of the sick out of the Book of Common Prayer. 
But though the doctor was a man of very upright mind, he 
did not like what was then exclusively designated Metho- 
dism, which Mrs. Blachford insisted his sister-in-law, Miss 
Blachford, would enjoy before her death. One morning, 



• 



222 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1809-Age 58. 



after the doctor had, as usual, been reading prayers to Miss 
B., just as he was about to read the Lord's prayer, she 
said, " Stop, doctor; before you read that prayer I wish to 
say a few words." The doctor, being naturally a nervous 
man, was much disturbed by this interruption ; but Miss 
Blachford continued, all the family kneeling round the bed, 
and (Mrs. Blachford, as usual, having gone thitherto attend 
the family devotion) the sick lady spoke to the following 
effect : — " Last night, as I was for hours unable to sleep, 
I lay contemplating my religious state : I prayed to God 
over it, and while thus engaged, I felt the power of God 
present to my mind, enabling me, in a manner I had 
never felt before, to claim him as my ' Father who is in 
heaven and I rejoice still in the holy assurance ! and 
now, doctor, read to me that prayer." With much feeling 
the doctor finished the service, and then instantly quitted 
the room. Mrs. Blachford followed him, saying, " I told 
you, doctor, she would die a Methodist, — that is Metho- 
dism." He made no observation, but passed on to his 
professional duties. Miss Blachford did not long survive, 
dying in the full assurance of faith. 

Dr. RadclifTe, while he was willing to allow that many 
Methodists were very good people, was yet unwilling to 
admit that so much ado about religion was necessary, — 
and, in short, insisted that it was often a " zeal without 
knowledge." There had resided in Dublin a Mr. Howard, 
of whom every one thought well. He had been a merchant 
and banker : many who had but little property were glad to 
place it in his hands, and he became the banker for most 
persons thus circumstanced in the city, his moral worth 
and credit standing very high. Unhappily, Mr. Howard 
began to speculate ; at first with his own property, but 
afterward with the property of others : ruin ensued ; and 
desolation spread itself over innumerable families who had 
thus trusted him incautiously. His enemies were now as 



1809-Age58. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



223 



numerous as his friends had been. Ruined in fame and 
fortune, he came to England, and lived in obscurity. He 
at length wandered to Hull, and was led to hear the Rev. 
Joseph Milner preach, at that time much spoken of as a 
minister of the gospel. The word was with power, — the 
rock was broken : again and again he attended Mr. Mil- 
ner's ministry, — conviction of sin, and deep compunction 
for the misery he had caused, got such firm hold of his 
mind, that he could not look up. At length he resolved 
to go to Mr. Milner, and tell him all: he went — laid his 
case and his past life open to that good man, and inquired 
what he must do to be saved. Mr. Milner opened the 
Bible, and read to him the third chapter of St. PauVs 
Epistle to the Romans. Hope dawned in the poor man's 
mind to find that help had been laid upon One mighty to 
save ; — but that hope was directly obscured, for Mr. How- 
ard thought, that is not the Bible, it is something which, 
as a divine, he has ready to read to all in my circum- 
stances : he inquired, however, for the epistle and chapter, 
and immediately returned to his lodging, when he got a 
Bible and turned to the part directed, where he found the 
chapter as it had been read: full of gratitude, he sunk on 
his knees and implored that salvation which cometh not 
from the law: "for by the law is the knowledge of sin," 
but that " which is by faith of Jesus Christ — unto all, and 
upon all them that believe ; for there is no difference." 
This was the salvation he needed : for this he prayed ; 
for this he believed; and ere he rose from his knees he 
had wrestled with the angel of the covenant till he had 
prevailed. 

Mr. Howard afterward wrote an account of his life, for 
the warning and encouragement of others : he extenuated 
not his transgressions, but showed the evils by which he 
had fallen. When this pamphlet came into the hands of 
Dr. Radcliffe, he began reproaching Mrs. Blachford for 



224 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1809-Age 58. 



the Methodism of Mr. Howard ; saying it was a refuge for 
the vilest characters when they could go no further : he then 
took up the book, and began reading it : as he read he said 
aloud, " Well, it is so far well — he does not hide his faults, 
but confesses them freely — that looks well:" he continued 
the narrative : when he came to that part of it giving an 
account of his visit to Mr. Milner, he was affected ; and 
on concluding the whole, where he stated his sense of 
pardon of sin, Dr. RadclifTe rose hastily from his chair, 
and, dashing down the book, exclaimed, " How is this ? 
here have I been doing my duty, and serving God all my 
life, and I have never felt this peace," — and he went away 
much displeased. A fine illustration this of the parable 
of the prodigal son : " Lo, these many years do I serve 
thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment; 
and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make 
merry with my friends." Luke xv, 29. " What shall we 
say then? That the Gentiles which followed not after 
righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the 
righteousness which is of faith : but Israel, which fol- 
lowed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to 
the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they 
sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the 
law. For they stumbled at that stumbling-stone ; as it is 
written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling-stone and rock 
of offense : and whosoever believeth on him shall not be 
ashamed." Rom. ix, 30-33. And again : " He came not 
to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." 
But to return. 

From the annexed letter it will appear that Mrs. Henry 
Tighe was suffering from increased bodily infirmity : Mrs. 
Blachford writes : — 

" However ill disposed for writing, and disqualified 
almost by circumstances from using my pen, your kind 
inquiries cannot remain unanswered. I read your letter to 



1809-^-e 58. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



225 



my poor child, who only answered with her tears at first, 
but at your express message to herself she spoke of it, 
and of you, in such terms that, could you have heard 
them, I am sure they would in some degree, like ' a gift, 
have blinded your eyes.' Her sufferings for the last four 
months have been truly distressing: her moans are my 
only music, and if they cease, it is only through the influ- 
ence of opium, nor have I ever retired from her room at 
night, (for on this she insists,) that it is not with the 
apprehension of being called up to receive her last breath : 
twice I thought her really gone, but she revived to suffer, 
but I trust it has also been for her eternal good. There 
is, assuredly, a great change in her mind : she listens with 
faith, hope, and sweetness, to the reading of the Holy Scrip- 
tures, and she prays to Him who will not cast out her 
petition ; but she has much mental conflict to go through ; 
for her philosophy and the style of her reading, though 
they did not pervert her mind, had induced a specu- 
lative reasoning which had warped her to skepticism. O 
what a state of mind for a sick, perhaps dying bed ! but its 
power is broken, and while she says she fears her tears 
flow for her pain more than for her sins, yet she prays, 
and is enabled by faith to lift her eyes to the hills from 
whence cometh her help ! O that God may not suffer her 
to be tried above her strength! for hitherto her patient and 
resigned spirit has been wonderful, and has been a singular 
blessing to us all. 

" If the conference be held in Liverpool, will you not 
extend your visit here? I know you will, if able. Let 
me, my dear friends, entreat you both to pray for us, and 
remember the hours when we all, even my poor Mary, 
took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of 
God in company." 

Again, writing to the same, in the month of October, 
1809, Mrs. Blachford says:-- 



226 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1810-Age 59. 



" My poor Mary, her maid, and myself, are once more 
at Woodstock : I thought she could not have been worse 
than when I last wrote, and that any increase of illness 
would have terminated my poor child's life ; yet almost 
every day since we came here, last June, she has been 
growing worse, yet she still lives : we do indeed need your 
prayers, and beg to be remembered in those of all such 
of our London friends who can feel for us, and with whom 
we once held sweet communion, particularly to Lady 
Mary Fitzgerald. When I was last in town I found her 
particularly sympathizing : tell me something respecting 
her health. I should think that her earthly pilgrimage 
must be nearly ended. 

" How rapidly do the years roll on ! I can scarcely be- 
lieve that thirty-two have revolved since we first met, and 
yet so it is. O had I then foreseen the anguish I have 
since suffered, I should have been unfitted to endure what 
I have since passed through : my two cherubs were then 
all life and delight, and my own presumptuous hope induced 
me to believe that naught but joy was before them, and 
that I could make Christians of them by a religious educa- 
tion, and that it would save them from the world : vain 
delusion! yet I trusted to it more than I looked to the 
grace of God !" 

There remains but little to be now told of the mortal 
story of Mrs. Henry Tighe ; and this may be learned from 
the following account by Mrs. Blachford in the month of 
June, 1810 : — 

" I feel too grateful, my dear friend, for your letter, to 
delay acknowledging its kindness. Were you here, I 
could speak much of my poor departed child ; indeed, to 
talk on any other subject of this world is painful to me ; 
yet I do hope my sorrow does not so far drink up my 
spirit as to suffer me to neglect the performance of any 
known duty. 



1810-^e 59. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



227 



" I was not aware that your dear wife had been so ill. 

0 I would like to talk to you, my ever kind friends, of years 
and scenes now, alas! passed for ever: but there is no 
prospect of this ; I could not leave the quiet of my grief- 
bound nest, till I am called to realize Bishop Gambold's 
beautiful lines : — 

' Ere long, when sovereign Wisdom wills, 
My soul an unknown path shall tread, 
And strangely leave, what strangely fills 
This frame, and waft me to the dead : 
O ! what is death? 'Tis life's last shore, — 
Where vanities are vain no more ; 
Where all pursuits their goal obtain, 
And life is all re touch' d again ; 
Where in then bright results shall rise — 
Thoughts, virtues, friendships, griefs, and joys !' 

"You bid me tell you of the last hours of my poor 
afflicted child. For six months before her death she had 
scarcely a hope of amendment ; yet even to this faint ray 
she clung with all the love of life, till the day before its 
termination : indeed, none of us apprehended her worse 
the last week than she had been for months before, yet 
she was sometimes cheerful, yet could you have seen her 
constant state of suffering, you would wonder that she 
could either speak or smile : when unable to converse, she 
would listen to our reading, and was kind and attentive to 
the comforts of all around her : at times I have dreaded 
her prolonged life in this state — but now that she is gone, 

1 would give my own life but for one day more, even as 
she then was ! 

" Up to Thursday, two days before her death, she had a 
painful dread of its approach, and she would sometimes 
exclaim, ' Thy rebukes have broken my heart ;' but the 
hour of her deliverance drew nigh, and while her husband, 
her brother, her uncle, her affectionate attendant, and self, 
were standing around her, she cheered our desponding 



228 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1810-A^e 59. 



souls by assuring us — her countenance becoming wonder- 
fully animated, while she expressed herself thus : 1 1 have 
long struggled with the fear of death, but I can now feel 
that God is the strength of my heart, and he will be my 
portion for ever, and ever, and ever !' 

" After this she spoke but little ; but all was peace, kind- 
ness, and a cheerful desire to depart, observing, ' That 
death was but one dark speck in our existence ;' though 
before this she had expressed her wish to continue even 
in a state of the extremest suffering, rather than to be 
released by death. Her patience in suffering, and her 
undeviating kindness to her attendants during her long 
illness, were most exemplary and endearing. The medical 
gentleman who had of late been in constant attendance, and 
who had once been a Methodist, was, I think, made a 
great blessing to her, by exhorting and encouraging her to 
cast herself fully upon the merits of the atonement of 
Christ as her only and sure refuge, and in telling her of the 
happy deaths which he had witnessed of persons fearful 
like herself. 

" On Friday she desired her husband, brother, and the 
medical gentleman, to retire to rest — while her faithful 
maid and I lay down in the room, only keeping up an old 
woman of the village, to whom I heard her speak kindly 
and frequently during the night. 

" She then became so apparently easy that I was afraid 
to disturb her by speaking. The old woman came to me 
at two in the morning, and said, ' She is worse,' and went 
up and called the medical man, who confirmed her appre- 
hension, and immediately summoned her husband and 
brother : they came : and I heard her gently ask for 
' ether.' I turned to give it to her, and she was gone ! 
gone without a struggle or a pang. I think I felt less 
then, than I do at this moment ; for I then felt that she 
was at rest, and peace ; I now dwell on the too palpable 



1810-Age 59. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



229 



conviction that the voice and the smile which had cheer- 
ed me for thirty-seven years I shall see and hear no 
more in this world. O my friend, pray for my stricken 
spirit, often sorely tempted ; for at times I wish my faith 
could be that of a Roman Catholic, that I might follow her 
with my prayers ! 

" The Mezereon, written at Woodstock, in December, 
1809, was the last poem my dear Mary ever composed, 
and there she expired, after the endurance of a protracted 
malady for six years, on the twenty-fourth day of March, 
1810. 

" With love and best wishes to your dear wife, believe 
me to be — 

" Ever your grateful and affectionate 

" Theodosia Blachford." 

As the minor poems of the lamented Mrs. Tighe are not 
published with the latest editions of Psyche, the reader will 
be pleased to find her last poem inserted here. Her fears 
of death were perfectly removed before she quitted this 
scene of trial and suffering ; and her spirit departed to a 
better state of existence, confiding with heavenly joy in the 
acceptance and love of her Redeemer. She was in the 
thirty-seventh year of her age. 

ON RECEIVING A BRANCH OF MEZEREON, WHICH 
FLOWERED AT WOODSTOCK. 

Odors of spring, rny sense ye charm 

With fragrance premature ; 
And, amid these days of dark alarm, 

Almost to hope allure. 
Methinks with purpose soft ye come 

To tell of brighter hours, 
Of May's blue skies, abundant bloom, 

Her sunny gales and showers. 



230 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1810-Age 59. 



Alas ! for me shall May in vain 

The powers of life restore ; 
These eyes that weep and watch in pain 

Shall see her charms no more. 
No, no, this anguish cannot last ! 

Beloved friends, adieu ! 
The bitterness of death were past 

Could I resign but you. 

But O ! in every mortal pang 

That rends my soul from life, 
That soul, which seems on you to hang 

Through each convulsive strife, 
Even now, with agonizing grasp 

Of terror and regret, 
To all in life its love would clasp, 

Clings close and closer yet. 

Yet why, immortal, vital spark ! 

Thus mortally opprest? 
Look up, my soul, through prospects dark, 

And bid thy terrors rest ; 
Forget, forego, thy earthly part, 

Thine heavenly Being trust : — 
Ah, vain attempt! my coward heart 

Still shuddering clings to dust. 

O ye ! who soothe the pangs of death 

With love's own patient care, 
Still, still retain this fleeting breath, 

Still pour the fervent prayer : — 
And ye, whose smile must greet my eye 

No more, nor voice my ear, 
Who breathe for me the tender sigh, 

And shed the pitying tear, 

Whose kindness, (though far, far removed,) 

My grateful thoughts perceive, 
Pride of my life, esteem'd, beloved, 

My last sad claim receive ! 
O ! do not quite your friend forget, 

Forget alone her faults ; 
And speak of her with fond regret 

Who asks your lingering thoughts. 



18L0-Age 59. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



231 



To the descriptive letter of his afflicted friend, which 
announced the death of her beloved daughter, Mr. Moore 
returned the following reply : — ■ 

My Dear Madam, — I received your interesting letter, 
and am most thankful for the information which it contained 
respecting your dear departed daughter. In her too we have 
lost a friend, and not a common one : but we shall be friends 
for ever ; your letter gives me assurance that it shall be so : 
we defy all purgatory except the atonement of Christ ap- 
plied by the eternal Spirit : this our dying friend evidently 
had : so I hope you refuse those melancholy thoughts that 
tempted you to think too much about the vain inventions 
of the fallen Romish Church : I know you too well to 
receive any abiding pain from what you said on this sub- 
ject. You had no doubt of her happiness when the bless- 
ing came fresh and warm from heaven : it brought its own 
evidence with it : 0 still walk in that light : reason not : — 

" Our friend is gone before 
To that celestial shore." 

For a time the allurements and refinements of a philosophic 
world caused her to forsake the fountain of living water, 
and to hew out to herself broken cisterns — but such cis- 
terns as few could hew like herself. Hence her bonds 
were strong: the heavenly Paradise was neglected, and 
Parnassus claimed and gained her heart, alas too long. 
Her Lord and God, the God of her youth, would not leave 
her to her idols, or fill her with her own ways : she must 
suffer, and she did suffer long in body, and much in 
mind : but the end of all has been graciously answered : 
she was kept alive as by miracle, until all the vanity of 
her mind, supported as it unquestionably was by rare and 
surprising talents, was subdued to the cross. I hope the 
closing scene of her life, and the good confession which 



232 LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1810-Age 59. 



she made of her faith, and the assurance of the divine ac- 
ceptance, will fully appear in the account which will be 
given of her to the public. 

My dear wife is returned from Bath, but the waters have 
failed to produce upon her health their former salutary 
effect: she is much weaker than when she left town. 
Her amendment and even recovery is however possible, for 
we have to do with Him who has all power, and I have good 
hope that he will yet deliver. She has more than once 
said, when very feeble, " It seems very strange that I 
should be willing to leave you, yet I am 1 the Lord's, and 
his will be done.' " 

My wife unites in affectionate sympathy for you ; and 
commending you to " Him who is too wise to err, and too 
good to be unkind," believe me, dear madam, 

Your sincere and sympathizing friend, 

H. Moore. 

After the death of Mrs. Henry Tighe, William Tighe, 
Esq., of Rossana, M. P. for the county of Wicklow, wrote 
some beautiful lines upon the melancholy occasion. He 
was a gentleman of a truly religious character, and at his 
table, during the sittings of parliament, Mr. Moore had 
the pleasure of meeting many of the literary men of the 
day. 

He was himself the author of some allegorical poems, 
which he published under the title of The Plants. Love 
he metaphorically typified as the rose — the myrtle as 
virtue — and religion as the palm. The lines he wrote on 
Mrs. Henry Tighe are as follows : — 

If on this earth she pass'd in mortal guise 
A short and painful pilgrimage, shall we, 
Her sad survivors, grieve that love divine 
Eemoved her timely to perpetual bliss ? 
Thou art not lost ! In chastest song and pure 



1810-^e 59. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



233 



With us still lives thy virtuous mind, and seems 
A beacon for the weary soul, to guide 
Her safely through affection's winding path, 
To that eternal mansion gain'd by thee ! 

Of the poem of Psyche, it is scarcely necessary here to 
speak : it has been long published, and the Reviews of that 
time characterized it as one of the most lofty and most 
chaste productions of the muse. All agree in considering 
the story of Cupid and Psyche as an allegory ; and that it 
was thus esteemed by the authoress of the poem, appears 
from Mrs. Blachford having written in the large quarto 
copy, given by her to her friend Mr. Moore, the following 
illustration of the poem : — 

" This poem illustrates the fall and recovery of man. 
Man was united to God, who is love, as Psyche, or the soul, 
to the God of all love : but as man was not to indulge cu- 
riosity, nor to do that which was forbidden, so Psyche was 
not allowed to see her divine husband for a certain time, 
after which she should be privileged to behold him, and 
thus to have her happiness perfected. 

" The sisters of Psyche, who are typified by Satan, 
envied her, and prevailed upon her to violate the divine 
command — as the devil did man. 

" The consequence was, she lost her husband's presence, 
and was driven from his paradise, to wander in the world. 
In these wanderings, she is tempted by many snares, but 
escapes them all by the help of her divine husband, who 
accompanied her in disguise. 

" At length her pilgrimage ends : she accomplishes the 
task of obedience assigned to her, and is united to her royal 
knight for ever." 

The following lines, in the hand-writing of Mrs. Henry 
Tighe, have been carefully preserved by Mr. Moore, and 
will be found interesting ; they are not published in any 
of the editions of her works. They were written in 



/ 



234 LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1810-^e 59. 

1791, before her marriage, and given by her to Mr. 
Moore. 

POEM OR PREFATORY SONNET, BY SIGNOR ABATE 
METASTASIO. 

Translated by Miss Blachford. 

Vain dreams, and fictions of distress and love 

I fondly feign'd, but while I idly strove 

To paint with every grace the tale of wo, 

Ah fool ! my tears unbid began to flow ; 

O'er the invented griefs I vainly mourn, 

By real sorrow is my bosom torn ! 

But has the muse alone the fatal power 

To breathe with fancied cares the troubled hour; 

When genius quits her empire o'er my soul 

Does reason then my tranquil breast control : 

Deceived no longer by the muse's art, 

Does wisdom rule the motions of my heart ? 

Do no vain lures, no idle passions rage, 

No fond desires my foolish hopes engage ? 

Alas, not only when I write and sing 

I soar on fancy's ever-ranging wing; 

But all my hopes, and all my fears are vain, 

And all my acts but like the tales I feign. 

Urged by vain hopes, by vain desires deceived, 

In empty dreams I joy, and then am grieved : 

My raving life is one continual cheat, 

And all my wishes but a fond deceit. 

O Lord! arouse me from this dream of woes, 

And let me in the arms of truth repose ! 

Before we take a melancholy leave of Mrs. Henry 
Tighe, it may not be unpleasing to the reader to record the 
following notices of that lady, as given in The Memorials 
of Mrs. Hemans, by H. F. Chorley, Esq., and recorded in 
the sixth chapter of the second volume of that work. 

In one of Mrs. Hemans's letters to a friend she thus 




" I wish to give you an account of a rather interesting 



1810-^59, LIFE OF HENRY MOORE, 



235 



day which I lately passed, before its images become faint 
in my recollection. We went to Woodstock, the place 
where the late Mrs. Tighe, whose poetry has always been 
* very touching to my feelings, passed the latest years of 
her life ; and near which she is buried. The scenery 
of the place is magnificent, of a style which I think I 
prefer to every other : wild profound glens, rich in every 
hue and form of foliage, and a rapid river sweeping through 
them, now lost, and now lighting up the deep woods with 
sudden flashes of its waves. — I should have told you that 
Woodstock is now the seat of Mr. and Lady Louisa Tighe, 
— Among other persons of the party was Mr. Henry Tighe, 
widower of the poetess. — He had just been exercising 
(I found) one of his accomplishments in the translation of 
a little poem of mine, and I am told that his version is 
very elegant. 

" We went to the tomb — the grave of a poetess— 
where there is a monument, by Flaxman : it consists of a 
recumbent female figure, with much of the repose — the 
mysterious sweetness — of happy death, which is to me so 
affecting in monumental sculpture. There is, however, a 
very small Titania-looking sort of figure with wings, sitting 
at the head of the sleeper, and intended to represent 
Psyche. That place of rest made me very thoughtful — I 
could not but reflect on the many changes which had 
brought me to the spot I had commemorated three years 
since, without the slightest idea of ever visiting it ; and 
though surrounded by friendly and kind attentions, and 
the appearance of interest, my heart was envying the 
repose of her who slept there." 

Mrs. Hemans continues : — 

" Mr. Tighe has just sent me his Latin translation of 
my lines, The Graves of a Household. It seems very ele- 
gant, as far as I can venture to judge, but what strikes me 
most is the concluding thought, so peculiarly belonging to 



236 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1810-^59. 



Christianity, and the ancient language in which it is thus 
imbodied. 

Si nihil ulterius mundo, si sola voluptas 
Esset terrenis, — quid feret orrinis amor ? 

" I suppose the idea of an affection powerful and spiritual 
enough to oversweep the grave, (of course the beauty of 
such an idea belongs not to me, but to the spirit of our 
faith,) and is not to be found in the loftiest strain of any 
classic writer." 

The Grave of a Poetess, written by Mrs. Hemans, when 
in imagination only she had visited this spot, is published 
among the Records of Woman, and possesses much beauty 
and feeling; — it will find a suitable place here. 

THE GRAVE OF A POETESS. 

" Ne me plaignez pas— si vous saviez 
Combien de peines ce tombeau m'a epargnees!" 

I stood beside thy lowly grave;* 

Spring odors breathed around, 
And music, in the river wave, 

Pass'd with a lulling sound. 

All happy things that love the sun 

In the blight air glanced by, 
And a glad murmur seem'd to ran 

Through the bright azure sky. 

Fresh leaves were on the ivy bough 

That fringed the ruins near ; 
Young voices were abroad, but thou 

Their sweetness couldst not hear. 

* " Extrinsic interest has attached to the fine scenery of Wood- 
stock, on account of its having been the last residence of the authoress 
of Psyche. Her grave is one of many in the church-yard of the 
village : the river runs smoothly by. The rains of an ancient abbey, 
that have been in part converted into a church, reverently throw 
their mantle of tender shadow over it." — Tales by the O'Hara 
Family. 



1810-^e 59. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



237 



And mournful grew my heart for thee, 
Thou in whose woman's mind 

The ray that brightens earth and sea, 
The light of song, was shrined. 

Mournful, that thou wert slumbering low, 

With a dread curtain drawn 
Between thee and the golden glow 

Of this world's vernal dawn. 

Paited from all the soug and bloom 
Thou wouldst have loved so well, 

To thee the sunshine round thy tomb 
Was but a broken spell. 

The bird, the insect on the wing, 
In their bright reckless play, 

Might feel the flush and life of spring-— 
And thou wert pass'd away. 

But then, e'en then, a nobler thought 

O'er my vain sadness came ; 
Th' immortal spirit woke, and wrought 

Within my thrilling frame. 

Surely on lovelier things, I said, 
Thou must have look'd ere now, 

Than all that round our pathway shed 
Odors and hues below. 

The shadows of the tomb are here, 

Yet beautiful is earth ! 
What see'st thou then, where no dim fear, 

No haunting dream hath birth ? 

Here a vain love to passing flowers 
Thou gav'st — but where thou art, 

The sway is not with changeful hours, 
There love and death must part. 

Thou hast left sorrow in thy song, 

A voice not loud — but deep 
The glorious bowers of earth among— 

How often didst thou weep ! 



238 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1810-Age59. 



Where couldst thou fix on mortal ground 

Thy tender thoughts and high ? 
Now peace the woman's heart hath found, 

And joy the poet's eye. 

After having, as recorded before, seen the congenial, 
half-enchanted spot, — this twin spirit wrote the following 
lines, not so expressive of feeling as those imagination 
produced : — 

WRITTEN AFTER VISITING A TOMB NEAR WOODSTOCK, 
IN THE COUNTY OF KILKENNY. 

Yes, beneath the moldering heap, 

The undelighting, slighted thing ; 
There in the cold earth, buried deep, 

In silence let it wait the spring. 

Mrs. Tighe's Poem on the Lily. 

I stood where the lip of song lay low, 
Where the dust had gather' d on beauty's brow ; 
Where stillness hung on the heart of love, 
And a marble weeper kept watch above. 

I stood in the silence of lonely thought, 
Of deep affection that inly wrought, 
Troubled and dreamy, and dim with fear — 
They knew themselves exiled spirits here ! 

Then did'st thou pass me in radiance by, 
Child of the sunbeams, bright butterfly ! 
Thou that dost bear on thy fairy wings 
No burden of mortal sufferings ! 

Thou wert flitting past that solemn tomb, 
Over a bright world of joy and bloom, 
And strangely I felt as I saw thee shine, 
The all that sever'd thy life and mine : 

Mine, with its inborn mysterious things, 

Of love and grief, its unfathom'd springs, 

And quick thoughts wandering o'er earth and sky, 

With voices to question eternity 



mo-Age 59. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



239 



Thine, in its reckless and joyous way, 
Like an imbodied breeze at play ! 
Child of the sunlight ! — thou winged and free ! 
One moment, one moment, I envied thee ! 

Thou art not lonely, though bom to roam, 

Thou hast no longings that pine for home, 

Thou seek'st not the haunts of the bee and the bird, 

To fly from the sickness of "hope deferred:" 

In thy brief being, no strife of mind, 
No boundless passion is deeply shrined ; 
While I, as I gazed on thy swift flight by, 
One hour of my soul seem'd infinity! 

And she, that voiceless below me slept, 
Flow'd not her song from a heart jhat wept ? — ■ 
O love and song, though of heaven your powers, 
Dark is your fate in this world of ours ! 

Yet ere I turn'd from that silent place, 
Or ceased from watching thy sunny race, 
Thou, even thou, on those glancing wings, 
Didst waft me visions of brighter things ! 
Thou that dost image the freed soul's birth, 
And its flight away o'er the mists of earth, 
O ! fitly thy path is through flowers that rise 
Round the dark chamber where genius lies ! 

The lyre of each spirit is ?iow, alas ! alike hushed in the 
stillness of the tomb. 

It would be injustice alike to the memory of Mrs. Henry 
Tighe, and to the genius of that admirable poet, Thomas 
Moore, Esq., not to insert the following beautiful stanzas 
he composed on the death of the authoress of Psyche, and 
which appear in his exquisite Hebrew Melodies. 

TO THE MEMORY OF MRS. HENRY TIGHE. 

I saw thy form in youthful prime, 

Nor thought that pale decay 
Would steal before thy steps of time, 

And waste its bloom away, — Mary ! 



240 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1811-Age60. 



Yet still thy features were that light 
Which flits not with the breath 5 

And life ne'er look'd more purely bright 
Than in thy smile of death, — Mary ! 

As streams that run o'er golden mines 

With modest mm*mur glide, 
Nor seem to know the wealth that shines 

Within their gentle tide, — Mary ! 

So veil'd beneath a simple guise 

Thy radiant genius shone ; 
And that which charm'd all other eyes 

Seem'd worthless in thy own, — Mary ' 

If souls could always dwell alone, 
Thou ne'er hadst left thy sphere ; 

Or could we keep the souls we love, 

We ne'er had lost thee here, — Mary .' 

Though many a gifted mind we meet, — 
Though fairest forms we see ; 

To live with them is far less sweet 
Than to remember thee, — Mary ! 



In the summer of the year 1811 Mr. Moore attended 
the Wesleyan Conference held in Sheffield, where, as 
usual, he took up his abode at the house of his old friends 
the late Mr. and Mrs. Holly. Writing to Mrs. Moore he 
says :— 

" I arrived at this place (Sheffield) at nine o'clock, and 
found Mr. Holly waiting for me, and was received by him- 
self and Mrs. Holly in their peculiarly-affectionate manner: 
they regret your absence, and speak of you in the most 
kind manner. At this house they have Dr. Coke, Mr. 
Averall, Mr. Benson, Mr. Entwisle, Mr. Edmondson, and 
Mr. Marsden : we are all very comfortable, and our con- 
versations are frequently very interesting. 

" Three hundred preachers are expected to be present 



IBlUAgeGO. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



241 



at the conference : the heat is intense, and with so many 
I know not what we shall do," 

From a letter addressed to Mr. Moore by Mrs. Blachford, 
it would appear that the health of Mrs. Moore was seriously 
affected; for she says: — "I hear with deep regret, from 
Mr. Butterworth, of the illness of dear Mrs. Moore : write 
to me soon concerning her, and accept the inclosed copy 
of lines of Mary's which were made when we were once 
all four together, and keep them as a memorial of us ! O 
when I think of those hours, I reflect sadly on the vanity 
of human wishes and expectations : for surely I might then 
reasonably have hoped for much pleasure and consolation 
from the society and talents of my sweet Mary ; yet how 
much bitterness and anguish have I realized as the fruit of 
my vain expectations ! 

" Yet though I write in this strain, I bless God I am 
neither discontented nor melancholy : but I feel averse 
from general society, and to any engagement but that of 
my providential calling, an attention to the interests of 
* The House of Refuge :' a little exertion is now all I can 
bear ; a sadness seems to have settled upon everything 
connected with me, and certainly accompanied by a decline 
of outward strength : but I bless God, I do not weary in 
trusting in him as my Saviour, and I have a good hope 
that we shall all meet where tears shall be for ever wiped 
from our eyes : in infinite mercy is this tranquillity of spirit 
given me in this last stage of human life : and though I am 
not without anxieties, he enables me in a great measure to 
dismiss them from my heart, leaning on the arm of Omni- 
potence." 

Mrs. Tighe's elegant poem of Psyche was so well re- 
ceived, and the editions of it were so eagerly bought up 
by her numerous friends and the public, that the copyright 
of the poem was sold by the husband of the authoress, in 
the year 1812, for the sum of five hundred pounds, the 
11 



242 



LIFE 0E HENRY MOORE. lS\2^Age6l. 



whole of which that gentleman gave to the funds of the 
" House of Refuge," founded by Mrs. Blachford. To this 
circumstance Mr. Moore evidently refers in a letter written 
to that lady, in the month of February, 1812, in which 
he says : — 

" You are right, — I am thankful for one article mentioned 
in your report of the 1 House of Refuge it did indeed 
interest me. While the Lord 1 has taken away the delight 
of your eyes,' he has comforted you in making her very 
talents subserve the cause of true benevolence: not even 
the excursions of her fancy have fallen to the ground ; but 
the efforts of her truly delicate mind, and fertile genius, 
are engraven, as with the pen of a diamond, on the annals 
of charity for ever ! 

" Should a gracious Providence point my way to Dublin, 
where many of my earliest and best friends now are, I 
should rejoice to minister in holy counsel to your interesting 
Bethesda : I should feel my spirit quite at home among 
the children of poverty and the ' heiresses of toil :' but I 
must wait till I am sent ; for I feel more than ever that the 
language of my heart is, ' Show me the way that I should 
take and as he knows my desire is sincere, I rely upon 
his constant providential direction." 

In reply to this letter, Mrs. Blachford writes : — 

" I feel veiy grateful to you for your kind expressions, 
with regard to your good will to the 'heiresses of toil:' I 
consider them as my household, and find them to be what 
my brother Richard called them at their first gathering, ' both 
interesting and amusing' to me : indeed, it is a providential 
blessing to myself, by compelling me to some mental and 
physical exertion, which has kept me for the last ten years 
from dwelling solely on anxieties few can imagine, and 
still saves me from stupid indolence. The sun of my 
life is now sinking apace ; but God has given me, I bless 
his name, all outward peace and tranquillity, and I have 



1812-Age 61. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



243 



only to labor to enter into that rest which I believe to be 
the portion of his faithful children, even on this side of 
the grave. 

" I know that it will give you pleasure to hear that there 
is a meeting called this very day (September 7th) to pro- 
pose the establishment of a second £ House of Refuge.' 
God has succeeded the efforts of this one far beyond my 
most sanguine expectations. 

" I also send you with this parcel the print prefixed to 
the octavo edition of Psyche, which we all think a better 
resemblance of my dear Mary than the one in the quarto 
edition. 

" I still commend myself to the prayers of dear Mrs. 
Moore and yourself, and believe me 

" Your ever-obliged and affectionate friend, 

" Theodosia Blachford." 

Among the many who held a place in the high esteem 
and friendship of Mr. Moore was Miss Hanson, daughter 
of John Hanson, Esq., of Hammersmith, magistrate for 
the county of Middlesex. This young lady had early 
become religious, and eventually joined the Wesleyan 
society. She was a young lady of great good sense, and 
of unaffected piety. 

She had enjoyed the advantages of a religious education, 
" and next to the grace of God," Miss Hanson said, " she 
owed all her first and permanent religious impressions to 
the pious care of her parents, and to the judicious and 
affectionate course of discipline under which she had been 
from early life brought up." 

The effects of such training were the source of much 
comfort to her during the brief period of her life ; and the 
retirement from the gay world which she observed, was 
used by her in the cultivation of her naturally strong mental 
powers, and those benevolent exertions for the spiritual 



244 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



lQ\2-Age6L 



and social benefit of her fellow-creatures, which her position 
in society afforded her such ample means of carrying on in 
her immediate neighborhood, in doing which she followed 
out the kindly charities of her heart. 

In the society of Mr. and Mrs. Moore Miss Hanson 
particularly delighted : she consulted them as her best 
advisers in the many spiritual questionings of her own mind, 
and their judicious counsels gave nerve and stability to her 
whole character. 

The benefit and importance of such religious and social 
friendships are incalculable : few enjoy them to the extent 
Miss Hanson had the privilege of possessing them, and 
few could feel their value so deeply as herself. 

In the year 1811 Miss Hanson was united in marriage 
to Mr. John Cooper, of London : and Mr. Moore being 
stationed there at that time, the intimacy was strengthened 
by increased personal intercourse. But short, as well as 
visionary, is much of human life. This amiable lady was 
married August 27th, 1811; and on the 22d of the June 
following, 1812, she expired, in the twenty-sixth year of 
her age. To this peculiarly-melancholy event the fol- 
lowing letter from Mr. Moore refers, addressed to her 
bereaved husband : — 

My Very Dear, my Greatly-afflicted Friend, — 
O it is indeed true that " there is no refuge from God, but 
in God." Our adorable Lord has turned our garlands into 
a cypress. I say our garlands, deeply feeling, my be- 
loved brother, the superiority of your grief, your excess of 
loss to ours : yet your love will allow me thus to speak, 
knowing how truly we loved your dear partner : ours was 
no common love, as yours was no common happiness ; so 
you will allow us to mingle our griefs with yours. My 
dear wife and yours were sisters in spirit; and I had 
trusted that they would be mutually helpful to each other. 



1812-iig* 61. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE, 



245 



Had your loss been less, ours would not have been so 
severe : — she was no vacillating friend. 

We feel, as you are especially called to feel, " The 
Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, and blessed be 
the name of the Lord." " Gave ;" yes, truly he did ; he gave 
to you a great blessing, to us a sweet and sincere friend. 

0 let your soul keep its stand in its reliance upon the 
infinite wisdom and infinite goodness of Jehovah, who 
gave, and who hath taken away, and bless his holy name 
for ever ! 

And now, my dear brother, I must tell you, though I 
hoped, yea I would hope, for your dear wife, yet I never 
could get rid of fear. When your note told us of her safe 
confinement, we did indeed rejoice, and seemed determined 
to have nothing more to do with fear ; but O it came back, 

1 may truly say, in spite of my heart : yet to the last I 
struggled with, and refused to entertain it : but when so 
shortly after — so few days — I entered my parlor, and 
beheld my dear partner with the letter in her hand, her 
face bathed in tears, and her eyes inflamed with weeping, 
how gladly would I have fled, and never asked the dreadful 
question ! " Our mouths are in the dust ;" but we unite 
with you in submission to the will and ways of God. 
When my dear departed friend Rutherford lost a child of 
fourteen years of age, whose equal I never yet saw, I felt 
it so exquisitely, that my emotion affrighted me, lest there 
should be rebellion in it : I entreated the Lord, and he 
singularly delivered me. Your comfort and ours, my dear 
brother, must be similar : we must entreat the Lord, and 
he will deliver, or sustain us. 

We have been used to say, " The Lord doth all things 
well :" the full meaning we shall only know above. Would 
you believe it, my dear brother, the only tears I have been 
able to shed, are those which have flowed since the writing 
of this letter ; but now they come indeed, and I must con- 



246 



LIFE OP HENRY MOORE. 



1813- Age 62 



elude. Remember the remark of the good marquis De 
Renty. "I feel," says that pious man, "my affliction, but 
I do not give myself up to it, but to Him who has appointed 
it." I will strive too. 

We have felt much for the dear family at Hammersmith : 
say to them all you can for us. My wife unites in love. 

Yours ever, my dear friend, 

H. Moore. 

The above letter is another instance of the deep interest 
and warm affection with which Mr. Moore regarded the 
welfare of his friends. He was ever steady in his friend- 
ships, and circumspect in forming them. 

The memoirs of Mrs. Mary Cooper, extracted from her 
diary and epistolary correspondence, were subsequently 
edited by Dr. Adam Clarke, who also held that lady in 
high esteem. 

The increasing illness of Mrs. Moore, in the beginning 
of the year 1813, gave her anxious husband serious con- 
cern : the Bath waters, which she had lately tried, had 
failed to effect their accustomed cure ; and her strength 
and life were evidently passing away. 

That Mr. Moore partly anticipated this near close of his 
chief earthly comfort and joys, appears from the following 
extract of a letter to his friend Mrs. Blachford, dated, 

"February, 1813. 
" I feel much obliged by all your kind sympathy for 
us ; my wife heard your last letter with many tears, for we 
both highly prize your friendship : but indeed, my dear 
madam, I cannot write as I would, nor as I used to do, for 
my spirits are much sunk ; for my beloved partner has 
been very ill, for the last month especially : at times there 
has been danger, but again it vanished away, and hope 
once more dawned ; for ' the fever owned His touch and 
fled :' yesterday it again returned ; and to-day she lifts up 



1813-^e 62. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



247 



her head, though with much weakness. I cannot dissemble 
that I have much fear, though when I look upon her cheer- 
ful countenance I half flatter myself with the hope, that 
' surely the bitterness of death is passed.' O ! how bitter 
hers would be to me, left alone in the world with only the 
remembrance of an affectionate faithfulness that never was 
excelled, and seldom equaled ! The Lord has again and 
again rebuked death, and I trust that he will still save !" 

Alas ! this fond hope only existed to support the spirit 
of her husband against the hour of its sore bereavement : 
Mrs. Moore sunk gently, but daily and gradually, away. Of 
her final departure Mr. Moore thus writes to Mrs. Blachford : 

March 27, 1813. 

My Dear Madam, — The mortal scene is closed ! You 
have lost one of your most loving and grateful friends ; I, 
the kind and faithful partner of all my joys and sorrows : 
the most loving and tender wife that man was ever blessed 
with now rests from all her weakness and anxieties, in the 
bosom of her Lord, whom living and dying she loved . 

From nine o'clock on Thursday, the 25th, until a few 
minutes before two on the following morning, she was 
sleeping her life away, and without a convulsive struggle, 
or even the appearance of pain, her happy spirit took its 
joyous flight. A heavenly smile rested upon her counte- 
nance after the departure of her freed spirit to bliss. I am 
indeed bereaved, but I can still say from my heart, " The 
Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be 
the name of the Lord." Her dear sister, Mrs. Rutherford, 
watched over her with true love : every night but one 
since the appearance of danger I watched with her, and 
am now almost exhausted both in mind and body. Con- 
tinue to pray for 

Your ever affectionate friend, 

H. Moore. 



248 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1813-Age 62, 



Shortly after this melancholy event, Mr. Moore drew up 
A Short Account of the Life and Death of Mrs. Anne Moore ; 
in a Letter to Dr. Hamilton — which was published ; and as 
the account is in itself interesting, the reader will feel 
pleasure in finding it introduced in this place. 

ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND DEATH OF MRS. MOORE. 

Dear and Respected Friend, — My beloved partner 
did not wish to be publicly noticed, or that a funeral sermon 
should be preached for her. She had been frequently 
edified and comforted by such accounts and discourses ; 
but she always feared them respecting herself, having had 
through her whole religious course the highest sense of the 
Christian life and character, and a deep sense of her own 
un worthiness. But the Lord having so graciously, in her 
last illness, and in her removal, set his seal to that work 
which he so evidently began, and carried on for so many 
years, I cannot but think it right, and a duty, that his good- 
ness should be made known to his people to whom his 
servant was united, as it was to those who watched around 
her in those awful moments when every creature prop 
failed. May the Lord enable me to give an account of his 
goodness to her with that simplicity which she loved, and 
which we both have been long convinced can alone be 
pleasing in his sight. 

I shall commence with an extract from Mr. Wesley's 
Journal, volume ii, page 489, octavo edition. 

"Friday, June 5, 1778. We went on to Coleraine. As 
the barracks here are empty, we hired one wing, which, 
by laying several rooms into one, supplied us with a 
spacious preaching-house ; but it would not contain a third 
of the congregation; but by standing at the door, I had 
them all before me in the barrack square." 

Under date of Sunday, the 7th, Mr. Wesley records 
the pleasing but affecting scene, [which is detailed on 



\813~Age 62. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



249 



page sixty-six of this memoir, to which the reader is 
referred.] 

The gentlewoman thus mentioned by Mr. Wesley (at 
the place just noticed) was Miss Ann Young, at that time 
twenty-two years of age, — afterward my beloved partner. 
Her sister, on whose account she was so affected, was 
Miss Isabella Young, the present Mrs. Rutherford. This 
affecting scene took place in one of the apartments im- 
mediately under the preaching-room. 

Those tender devoted young persons needed his prayers. 
They had truly given themselves to God, without having 
any care or desire but to please Him, and had much to 
suffer on that account. The town of Coleraine, a con- 
siderable one, and wholly Protestant, was remarkable for 
the quietness and decency of the generality of its inhabit- 
ants, and the politeness and information of the upper 
classes. Methodism met with no opposition there : a con- 
siderable society was formed, chiefly of the manufacturing 
people, while the principal part of the inhabitants looked 
on, either in silent indifference, or with some favorable 
hope that these alarming preachers might amend the 
morals, and so improve the manners of the lower class. 
They considered themselves, however, as having no need 
of any such religion, and therefore kept at a great distance. 

Miss Anne Young, and her beloved sister, were the 
youngest daughters of a large family, and the first who 
broke this circle. They were attracted by the strange 
appearance of a man preaching in the open air ; and the 
artless and melodious singing delighted them : impressions 
were thus made upon their minds, that were never after- 
ward erased. In a little time they became constant hear- 
ers ; and, as they were nearly related to some of the first 
families, their strange association with " the poor people 
at the barrack," as the society there was called, occasioned 
much conversation, and great surprise, among them. 
11* 



250 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1813-Age 62. 



The preacher then at Coleraine was Mr. John Prickard, 
who, a few years after, was appointed for London, and 
much beloved in this city. Observing the constant attend- 
ance of the Misses Young, he became interested for them, 
and put Mr. Law's Christian Perfection, as extracted by 
Mr. Wesley, into the hand of Miss Anne Young. Her 
soul, then under the drawings of the Father, eagerly de- 
voured this book ; and it had the same effect upon her that 
it, and some others of the same kind, had on Mr. Wesley 
in his early days. " I saw (said he) from these books 
the utter impossibility of being a half-Christian, and resolved 
to devote my whole heart and life to God." Precisely the 
same effect it had on her mind : she utterly renounced, 
and cast off, all conformity to the world, in every kind and 
degree. This excited much surprise, and her family were 
alarmed, for she was the darling of her mother, (a very 
excellent woman,) and a great favorite with all her relations. 
They mourned over her, and over her dear sister, who 
shared her cross ; but they continued their course, and 
determined never to look back. 

This entire change and devotedness was accompanied 
with a deep sense of the sinfulness of her nature before 
God. Although she had been remarkably decorous in her 
whole conduct, and regular at church and sacrament, her 
conviction that she had, through the vanity of her youthful 
mind, neglected the salvation of God, was attended with 
deep distress. Mr. Law's book was not well calcu- 
lated to remove this trouble ; it rather increased it, by 
displaying, in his admirable manner, what she ought to 
have been, and must be. But it afforded no full or direct 
remedy for a wounded spirit ; and especially it did not 
plainly hold out that remedy which God himself has been 
pleased to provide for perishing sinners, and which, there- 
fore, must be submitted to, and pleaded, namely, "the 
atoning sacrifice of his only-begotten Son ; the gift of the 



18l'3-Age 62. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



251 



Father's love, that he might be just, and yet the justifier 
of the ungodly who believe in Jesus." This defect was, 
however, supplied by the preaching which she constantly 
attended. Under that ministry she learned that she might 
now "be justified freely by His grace, through the redemption 
that is in Jesus Christ, whom God hath set forth as a propi- 
tiation, through faith in his blood, for the remission of sins 
that are past." This true evangelical faith thus came by 
hearing ; and after she believed, she was " sealed with that 
Holy Spirit of promise, which was the earnest of that in- 
heritance which she now enjoys among the saints in light." 
She informed me, that this assurance of pardon, and con- 
sequent adoption of God, were given to her while at prayer, 
by a divine impression made upon her mind, that Christ 
presented her to the Father, and made intercession. Her 
guilt vanished away ! The peace of God flowed into her 
soul, and all the fruits of faith, inward and outward, became 
manifest. Righteousness, peace, and joy, filled her heart ! 
She walked as in heaven, and rejoiced in hope of the glory 
of God. 

In May, 1779, my itinerant life commenced. I was sent 
from this kingdom to the north of Ireland, to supply the 
place of a preacher who had just then died in the city of 
Londonderry. After a short stay in that city, I proceeded 
to Coleraine, which was part of my circuit. I there found 
a lovely and most pious people, among whom the Misses 
Young could not be hid. In a little time I became ac- 
quainted with them, to my great, and, I trust, endless com- 
fort. I had been brought to God myself in a way very 
similar to that in which they had been led ; only that I had 
not the advantage of knowing any religious person. I 
found Miss Anne Young walking in a straight path indeed ! 
A path not well suited to the delicacy of her constitution, 
or to that of her dear sister. To spend the whole night 
in prayer was not an uncommon thing. She hardly ever 



252 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



181 3-^62, 



eat a regular meal, especially when she could avoid obser- 
vation. When hunger made her weak, she would take a 
piece of bread, or anything that was at hand, and immedi- 
ately turn again to any employment in which she had 
been engaged. But she was in truth " a happy Ascetic," 
and therefore, even an extreme of self-denial was not 
grievous. She persevered in this course for a long time : 
even after we were married, when I used to be out on my 
circuits, (which in those days were very extensive,) she 
continued the same practice. She rose in the morning, for 
several years, at four o'clock, and constantly attended the 
preaching, or prayer meetings, wherever they were held in 
the neighborhood, even in the depth of winter : and even 
to her last illness she continued to rise early. She had 
been remarkably healthy, but her constitution was not 
strong. To keep up her communion with God was the one 
purpose of her soul ; but this discipline, which she found 
so helpful in that respect, was not calculated to add strength 
to her tender frame. Attacks of rheumatism, remarkably 
acute, and attended with fever, soon became frequent, and 
laid the foundation of those illnesses which, for so many 
years, caused her to lead a dying life, and at length removed 
her to the paradise of God. She verified an old remark, 
" That those, who like Jacob, will prevail with God, must 
often, like him, halt for it." 

I shall not now, dear sir, enter into any detail of her 
conduct, or her religious experience, on the different cir- 
cuits where the Lord cast our lot : such an account would 
be long indeed. In every place she was highly esteemed, 
and greatly beloved by the holiest of the Lord's people. 
In the year 1784 Mr. Wesley appointed us for London: 
she much feared to go thither, as I did also, from the ac- 
counts given us ; and I strove with Mr. Wesley to have 
another appointment, but he would not listen to me. The 
Lord, however, was better to us than our boding fears. 



1813-Age 62. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



253 



My dear partner lived with me two years in the chapel 
house, beloved by the most eminent of God's servants, who 
lived with us, or who visited there. She was a house- 
keeper indeed ! Notwithstanding the delicate state of her 
health, she attended to everything that was her duty, and 
even labored in many respects far beyond her strength. 
The law of self-denial, which she had first embraced, con- 
tinued with her ; nor did I ever observe in her departure 
from it, though she continually lamented her weak and 
imperfect execution of that divine principle. 

Our next removal was to Dublin. There was a remark- 
able revival of the work of God in that city, and many per- 
sons wished me to stay a third year. I informed Mr. 
Wesley of their desire, and as the conference was to be 
held in London, I desired to know if I should bring my 
wife with me, as perhaps he might think it right that I 
should return to Dublin. His answer will show that the 
love and esteem of that venerable man were not abated by 
her having lived two years in his house. The original is 
now before me, [a copy of which the reader will find in- 
serted on page 101.] 

As I saw by this letter that my appointment would be 
in England, I accordingly brought my wife with me to 
the conference. We expected to go to Bristol ; but on 
our arrival, we found that we were again appointed for 
London. 

Mr. Wesley certainly loved and esteemed her much; 
but his venerable brother Mr. Charles Wesley, a man who 
kept at the utmost distance from all unreasonable or un- 
scriptural favoritism, manifested, if possible, superior re- 
gard. His family (a family ever to be respected by the 
people of God) conceived also a love and an esteem for 
her, which continued from those happy days till the day 
of her removal from this suffering state. The following- 
unexpected, but most gratifying effusion of love, from the 



254 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



181Z-Age 62. 



only female descendant of that man of God, will abundantly 
confirm what I have said. 

Woodstock-street, Nottingham Place, March 28, 1813. 

My Dear Sir, — I cannot delay to assure you of the 
sympathy we all feel in your great loss, alleviated as it 
must be to you by every consoling reflection. 

You have indeed the poignant grief of surviving excel- 
lence : but it was excellence which you appreciated. No 
heart-rending remorse accompanies your sorrow ; and the 
joyful hope of reunion, and immortality, in a world which 
knows no changes — no separation — is yours in no common 
degree. 

I much regret not having seen the dying saint before her 
blissful removal. I had been told she was too weak to 
admit a visitor : yet I wish I had called. 

When you are able to favor us with a line, it will be 
much esteemed, as we are anxiously interested to know 
how you are. 

With my mother's and Charles' kindest respects, believe 
me, my dear Mr. Moore, 

Your sympathizing friend, 

Sarah Wesley. 
Rev. H. Moore, New Chapel, City Road. 

Mrs. Moore was also highly esteemed by that eminently- 
pious man, the late Mr. Richardson, who delighted to visit 
her. Mr. George Clarke also, and the good men and wo- 
men who used to visit at the chapel-house, all delighted in 
her company and conversation. Mr. Wesley wished her 
to write to him when absent from London ; but this she 
never thought it right to do. She knew how the care of 
all the churches burdened him, and she was deterred also 
by a deep sense of her own unworthiness, though she 
wrote admirably. Mr. Wesley, however, was determined 



1813-^62. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



255 



to prevail, if possible, and he accordingly wrote to her 
from Ireland, in his last tour through that kingdom. His 
letter, now before me, begins thus : — 

"Rathfriland, June 11, 1789. 
" Has my dear Nancy quite forgotten me ? If you have, I 
have not forgotten you, and if you think I ever shall, you 
will be mistaken : I shall remember, and love you, till we 
meet in a better place." 

She was deeply sensible of Mr. Wesley's kindness, but, 
true to her principles, she did not reply, and I was obliged 
to answer the letter and apologize. She thus practiced 
mental self-denial as well as bodily ; and from long obser- 
vation, I can declare, I never saw her indulge her own will 
in this respect. She never sought the esteem of any per- 
son, in order to attach them to herself. She often said, 
" I dare not do it :" and would quote, " I, the Lord thy God 
am a jealous God." Meantime, she continually walked 
according to the apostolic precept, " Whatsoever things 
are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things 
are of good report, think on these things ;" and she thus 
attracted many to that God whom she loved. 

In the autumn of 1792 — the dreadful days of the French 
revolution — we were on a visit at Dover. One morning, 
as we were standing on the beach, a crowd of boats ap- 
proached the shore, in which were a multitude of priests, 
vomited forth, as polluting their native land. She saw and 
deplored the wickedness of the transaction ; and she felt, 
through her whole frame, the words of Moses, " Thou 
knowest the heart of a stranger," &c. She turned to me, 
bathed in tears, and said, " O Henry, could we give them 
all a dinner at the inn ?" That could not be : but love 
will do what it can : she went to a fruit stall, and buying 
as much as we could conveniently carry, she approached 
the poor strangers, and, with the smile of an angel, pre- 



256 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1813-^e 62. 



sented her offering. It is impossible to describe the effect! 
Tears, profound salutations, their eyes appealing to each 
other with gratitude to, and admiration of, the kind offerer ! 
O how true is that word, — 

All worldly joys are less 
Than this one joy, of doing kindnesses !" 

She was a pattern of industry and attention to all her 
duties. I believe no creature ever beheld her for one 
quarter of an hour unemployed : even in company she 
used to work, whenever she could do so without giving 
offense. At home, when she had leisure to read, she often 
contrived to knit at the same time ; and not unfrequently 
she thus worked for the poor, whom she loved to relieve 
in every possible way. On our circuits for some years, 
whenever she went with me to any of the places, she used 
to read to me, sitting behind me on the horse. That rule 
in the Minutes she thought belonged to her as well as to 
the preachers, " Never be unemployed a moment ; never 
be triflingiy employed; never while away time;" and she 
kept it with the greatest exactness. 

For many years she suffered much from occasional ill- 
ness ; but, about twelve years ago, she had a rheumatic fever 
at Liverpool, which seemed to break down her strength ; and 
in the following year, at Bristol, she had another attack, 
which first threatened her life, and then a deprivation of 
the use of her limbs. The Bath waters remedied this, 
and restored her in a most surprising manner. Her at- 
tacks after this time were chiefly periodical, nearly every 
fourth year. Wherever we happened to be on these 
occasions, I sent her to Bath, and always received her 
from that Bethesda perfectly free from her complaints ; 
until the last time, when the remedy entirely failed. She 
returned weaker than when she went out, although a strong 
paralytic affection, which she had the year before, was 



Idl3~-Age 62. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



257 



completely removed by the hot bath. Her strength, how- 
ever, as you, dear sir, observed at the time, seemed totally 
gone ; and at the last London conference, though conve- 
niently lodged for the occasion at your house in the City 
Road, she was not able to attend the chapel. 

We removed to Bath, and in a few months, to the sur- 
prise of all who knew her, she was restored in a great 
degree, and enabled to attend the chapel and to meet a 
class, the members of which most dearly loved her. She 
was again attacked in the following spring, and again in a 
degree restored. Thus she continued, dying and reviving, 
during our stay in that circuit. Her dear friend, Miss 
Hanson, afterward Mrs. Cooper, visited Bath during this 
time, and she seemed — notwithstanding the disparity of 
years — to be her twin soul : they took sweet counsel 
together, and anticipated much comfort when their lot 
should be cast together, as their love to each other inclined 
them to hope. So love proposed, but God is the disposer : — 
it was not his will that they should meet again in this world ; 
but they are united for ever in the paradise of God, where 
" there is no more death !" 

When we came to London, my dear partner was in a 
weak state, but the Lord again heard prayer, and her 
strength was wonderfully renewed. She walked with me 
to the different chapels ; to St. George's, Southwark, and 
once even to Lambeth ! I said, Surely the bitterness of 
death is past ! but in the beginning of January, the return 
of the usual symptoms alarmed me, especially as they 
were accompanied by an unusual one, a spasmodic cough, 
which often seemed to threaten instant death. I had been 
used to recoveries little short of miraculous, and I again 
cried unto the Lord : he answered, I believe, but not as 
before. Being at Tottenham, about a month before her 
removal, I was considering our situation in my chamber, 
when, in a moment, an impression was made upon my 



258 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1813-Age &2. 



mind, that if I would resign her entirely to the disposal 
of the Lord, all would be ordered for the good of both. 
I was greatly struck, and hesitated for a moment ; but I 
found if I did not make the sacrifice, I could not pray : I 
laid my mouth in the dust, and offered my beloved up to 
God ! I then found I could supplicate with freedom, and 
entreat with good hope, " that the cup might pass from me :" 
but I was obliged always to add, " Not my will, but thine 
be done, O Lord!" 

Medical aid was called in, and affectionately given, but 
in vain. A friend, who visited her at this time, informed 
me, since her death, that she said to him, when I was out 
of the room, " Mr. Moore seems to think that I shall re- 
cover, but I do not think I shall : I thank God, I have no 
fear concerning the consequence of death, but I feel that 
it is an awful thing to die." She had often said to me, that 
I alone caused her to be in a strait, having, except on my 
account, " a desire to depart, and be with Christ." When 
she found her strength failing, she seemed to have a cloud 
upon her mind, and often prayed, Lord, turn my captivity ! 
O, turn my captivity! The Lord graciously answered; 
and soon her smiles and tranquil spirit, with sweet and con- 
tinual thankfulness, announced that He was preparing her for 
himself. She was frequently, and greatly, oppressed with 
most distressing debility ; but often revived in a surprising 
manner. At those times I have said, " I shall receive her 
again from the gates of death!" Owing to these revivals 
of hope, I made no memorandums of anything she said, 
till a very few days before her removal. Her words were 
then so edifying and so sweet, that I thought those words 
ought not to be lost, and I wrote down a few ; alas ! very 
few, — 

" But though they're little, they are golden sands." 
Her dear sister, who watched over her with a love 



1813-Age 62. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



259 



which only God can give, said to her, " My dear sister, 
you will see dear Mr. Rutherford, and the eight children 
who are with him, before I shall." She answered, with 
quickness, " O yes, I shall. Glory be to the Lord !" Her 
sister then sung the hymn commencing — 

" There is a land of pure delight, 
Where saints immortal reign." 

My dear partner was delighted! And when Mrs. 
Rutherford ceased, she said, " My dear sister, sing the 
hymn, commencing — 

' Come on, my partners in distress, 
My comrades through tho wilderness, 
Who still your bodies feeh' " 

Her sister did so, and added, " It is well to have a good 
hope through grace." She replied, " O yes," and smiled; 
adding, " and to have love !" I said to her, " My dear, 
we are now learning the deepest of all lessons, entire 
submission to the will of God." She replied, smiling as 
before, " O yes, and I am lying down under his will. 
Glory be to his holy name !" I said, " Underneath you 
are the everlasting arms of Him who loveth you." She 
said, with a heavenly smile, " O yes, and whom / love — 
but imperfectly." About two in the morning of the day 
before her death, while I was sitting by her bedside, she 
seemed uneasy, and said something. I said, " My dear, 
what did you say?" She looked at me for some time 
most expressively, then making an effort, she said, " What 
do I say ? Why, I say God is good, and God is love !" 
and smiled. She very often repeated the doxology, 
" Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy 
Ghost :" and, though her weakness was so great, that she 
could but pronounce two or three words at a time distinctly, 
yet she repeated the doxology always connectedly, and 
with much animation. 



260 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1813-Age 62. 



She had, at times, great thirst, and yet could swallow 
little, generally a tea-spoonful. I repeated that verse, — 

" Thy sanctifying Spirit pour, 

To quench my thirst, and make me clean, 
Now, Saviour, let the gracious shower 
Descend, and make me pure from sin." 

I then added, (for she smiled in a heavenly manner while 
I repeated,) " My dear, this is the language of your heart :" 
—she replied, " O yes, Amen !" 

She slept much, her debility being very great; but 
always waked with a smile, and said something comfort- 
able : she was also very thankful for all that was done for 
her, or given to her. To her dear sister she frequently 
said, " My angel sister !" and she often kissed her hand 
when she gave her anything. She said on one occasion, 
" O what abasement do I feel !" Her sister answered, 
" Abasement, my dear ?" " Yes, my sweet sister," she 
replied, " abasement, at having so much attention." 

On Thursday morning, March 25th, her sister thought 
she was speechless. I stooped down and said, " My dear, 
the Lord is with you." She smiled, and slowly, and with 
difficulty, but plainly said, " Yes, glory be to him!" Some 
time after I said, " You are lying in the arms of your 
Lord." She strove, and nearly again articulated, "Yes;" 
but it died upon her lips : this was about eight o'clock. 
From that time she chiefly slept, only at times opening her 
eyes, which she raised up to heaven as in prayer, till about 
a quarter before two o'clock, when she breathed her pre- 
cious soul into the arms of her Redeemer without a con- 
vulsive struggle, or any appearance of acute pain ; while 
a heavenly smile settled upon her countenance. 

To you, dear sir, who knew her so long, and so well, 
I need not speak of my loss ; you know that it is great. I 
no longer possess, but have only to remember, an attach- 
ment, a tenderness, and a fidelity, that unitedly never were 



1813-Age 62. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



261 



surpassed ! But I submit, though with a bleeding heart ; 
and thankfully adore that Goodness that so divinely sweet- 
ened the cup. The Lord truly gave, and the Lord hath 
most graciously taken away, and blessed be the name of 
the Lord. I remain your affectionate friend and brother, 

H. Moore. 
New Chapel, City Road, London, April 3, 1813. 

I shall only add the following most kind testimony given 
by Dr. Adam Clarke, in a note to Dr. Hamilton : — 

Dear Doctor, — It is not too late to change the evening 
on which Mrs. Moore's funeral sermon is to be preached: 
pray let it be on Tuesday or Thursday, and then all the 
preachers in both circuits can be present. Besides, you 
will be pressed to death on the sabbath evening. 

I have known Mrs. Moore for more than thirty-five years, 
and was a resident in the same town, and a member of the 
same society with her. She and her sister were not only 
ornaments of a society, certainly one of the . first, in piety 
and sense, in the nation, but were exceedingly useful in 
diffusing the savor and influence of pure religion among 
many ; and causing Methodism to be respected, where no 
ordinary recommendation of principles so opposite to the 
prevailing religious sentiments of the place would have 
been sufficient to stem the torrent of prejudice. Mrs. 
Moore was as highly cultivated in her mind as she was 
amiable in her person, conduct, and natural disposition. 
When the religion of the Lord Jesus took hold of her heart, 
and a fast and permanent hold it did take, all her endow- 
ments became doubly polished, and shone with a steady 
and undiminished lustre. Her uniform conduct, her con- 
sistent and well-regulated zeal, her amiable deportment, 
and truly evangelical spirit, provoked many to give them- 
selves to the great God, and look for the same grace. 



262 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



18\3-Age 62. 



From my personal knowledge, I could say abundance in 
her praise, and can assert — I never knew a flaw in her 
conduct. Of the living sister I say nothing, though fully 
entitled to the same praise. I am, dear doctor, 

Yours affectionately, 

A. Clarke. 

2 Harpur-Street, March 30, 1830. 



• The mortal remains of Mrs. Moore were deposited in 
the burial ground of the new chapel, City Road, London ; 
and the place is marked by a head-stone on which is the 
following inscription, written by her bereaved husband : — 

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF 
ANNE, 

THE BELOVED AND FAITHFUL WIFE OF 
HENRY MOORE, 

Preacher of the Gospel, — late in Connection with the 
REV. JOHN WESLEY, Deceased : 

SHE DEPARTED THIS LIFE 

WITH A HOPE FULL OF IMMORTALITY, 

March 25, 1S13 — Aged 56. 



Nobilis ingenio, mitis, forrnosa, pudica, 

Anna ! exiguo hie cespite tecta jaces ? 
Sed non tota Anima coeli loca lseta petivit, 

Solvere virtutis prsemia terra nequit. 
Quicquid amor, siucera fides, pietasque jubebant, 

Sedula fecisti, fllia, sponsa, credens. 
Maritns flevit, pangens laciymabile cai*men, 

Quod tibi perpetuit pignus amoris erit. 
Concordes animas Chnstur revocabit in imum, 

Pax ubi sancta manet, nec dirimendus amor. 

The intelligent, pious, and useful Miss Eliza Weaver 
Bradburn has written the annexed English version of the 
inscription: — 



62. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



263 



Anne ! noble-minded, modest, meek, and fair, 

Safely thou liest in thy narrow bed ! 
But not the whole of thee reposeth there, 

Thy spirit to the joys of heaven is fled. 
Insolvent earth could no reward bestow 

Worthy of thee, for thou hast well sustain'd 
As daughter, wife, and Christian, here below, 

Whatever love, faith, piety, ordain'd. 
O let this tearful verse a token be 

Of thy lamenting husband's endless love ! 
And soon his kindred soul, from earth set free, 

Christ shall unite to thine : we then shall prove 
That peace and love endure to all eternity ! 



264 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1829-Age 78. 



BOOK VI. 

FROM MRS. MOORE'S DEATH TO THE PUBLICATION OF 
MR. WESLEY'S LIFE. 

[1814—1824.] 

The following outline of the life of Dr. Hamilton, late 
of Artillery Place, in the City Road, London, (to whom 
the preceding account of Mrs. Moore was addressed,) is 
from the pen of Mr. Moore, and was first published in the 
Wesley an Methodist Magazine, for July, 1829, and is 
inserted here, though out of regular order, for its interest, 
and connection with Mrs. Moore. 



MEMOIR OF JAMES HAMILTON, M. D. 

The late Dr. Hamilton, so well known and so highly 
respected in the Methodist connection for upward of 
sixty years, was the intimate friend of the Rev. John 
Wesley, and a fellow-helper in the work of God conducted 
by that venerable minister of Christ ; in which work he 
continued for fifty-eight years, — adorning the gospel which 
he occasionally preached. 

The following particulars are gleaned from his relatives ; 
from the knowledge derived by the writer from a long and 
intimate friendship with the deceased ; and from a few of 
the friends of his early years who yet survive him, and to 
whom his memory is dear. 

Dr. James Hamilton, fellow of the Royal College of 
Physicians, Edinburgh, was born either in the latter end of 
November, or in the beginning of December, in the year 1 740. 
When he was about eighteen years old, he was appointed 
surgeon to the Isis man-of-war, of sixty guns, commanded 



im-Agv 78. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE, 



265 



by Captain Wheeler ; in which situation he continued four 
years, his declining health not permitting a longer continu- 
ance at sea. His bodily weakness was sanctified to the 
good of his immortal spirit ; and as he considered, that he 
who aims to be good himself should strive to do good to 
others, he became a reprover, adviser, and helper of those 
who were engaged with him in that perilous service. It 
was while in the Mediterranean, and off the Island of 
Malta, that he became decidedly religious. His faith was 
soon tried: the Isis fell in with a French man-of-war, 
of seventy-four guns, when a most desperate engage- 
ment ensued, in which Captain Wheeler was mortally 
wounded ; but the French ship was taken while the Isis 
was under the command of the first lieutenant, who suc- 
ceeded the captain when he was obliged to leave the deck. 

Dr. Hamilton was called from the cock-pit to attend the 
captain ; whose case was hopeless : a cannon ball had 
shattered his arm, and torn away part .of the abdomen. 
He spoke kindly and solemnly to the doctor, who in return 
pressed the great truths of religion on his dying commander. 
The captain was much affected, and repeatedly prayed 
God to bless him. The first lieutenant was then sent for. 
" Sir," said the captain, " you now command : remember, 
his majesty's ship must not be given away : fight her while 
she can swim." The lieutenant took his leave, and the 
doctor soon after descended to his dreadful duty. On the 
lieutenant appearing on the deck, the officers cried out, 
" Sir, shall we fire ?" to which he replied, " No, not a gun, 
till we brush his yards." These orders being punctually 
observed, the combat became so dreadful, the rigging of 
the ships being intermingled, that it was quickly over. 
The French captain and his officers, being brought on board 
the Isis, requested to see the body of Captain Wheeler. 
They were accordingly introduced to the cabin, when, after 
looking in silence for some time at the appalling spectacle, 
12 



266 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



the scene ended with the usual French shrug, and an ex- 
clamation of " Fortune de la guerre !" The French ship 
was carried triumphantly into Gibraltar. 

Among those on board with whom Dr. Hamilton was 
intimate, the master's mate claims particular notice. He 
was an extraordinary young man : although of the most 
sober and orderly habits, he was foremost in every danger, 
and seemed to be insensible to fear. When the engage- 
ment mentioned above had continued some time, he de- 
scended to the cock-pit with a splinter in one of his eyes. 
He saw that the doctor was fully employed, and observed, 
" I suppose, sir, you can do nothing for me." The doctor 
stepped to him, and drew forth the splinter, the eye coming 
with it ! He then bound a large plaster on the part, and de- 
sired him to sit down till he could help him more effectually. 
His attention, however, was soon recalled to his patient, 
whom he saw groping for the ladder which led to the deck. 
The doctor cried out, and insisted that he should stay 
where he was, but in vain; he ascended to the upper 
deck, and the doctor saw him no more till the engagement 
was over ! 

The conclusion of this episode will, perhaps, not be 
disagreeable to the reader. After several engagements, and 
many dreadful conflicts in boats, in which this extraordi- 
nary man was always employed, (for commanders know 
how to use such men,) he was obliged to retire from active 
service, being disabled by wounds which he had received 
from head to foot. His commander gave him a letter to 
Lord Anson, the circumnavigator, who was then first lord 
of the admiralty, who, on reading it, and beholding the 
noble mutilated figure before him, burst into tears. After 
some kind expressions, his lordship desired that he would 
call upon him the next morning, and at the appointed time 
he received his heroic brother jn the most gracious man- 
ner, and presented him with a lieutenant's commission, 



1829-Age78. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



267 



with full pay during his life : insisting also on his accept- 
ing of a weighty purse which he drew from his pocket, his 
lordship dismissed him, expressing his regret that the rules 
of the service did not allow him to bestow higher prefer- 
ment. We may hope, that in private life this gallant man 
practiced the precepts he had learned from Dr. Hamilton, 
whose infant religion was thus cradled in the storm, in 
which his friend acted so conspicuous a part : but it was 
suited to a mind like his. 

On his return home, the doctor settled in his native town 
of Dunbar, as a surgeon and apothecary. He soon be- 
came noted for his medical skill, so that the words which 
the writer of this biographical sketch heard from Dr. Cleg- 
horn, anatomical lecturer in the University of Dublin, more 
than forty years ago, were applicable to him. Addressing 
the students in broad Scotch, which he spoke to the last 
hour of his life, " Gentlemen," said he, " I offer you no 
advice the good of which I have not proved. I had no 
independent fortune to begin with, but I abhorred idleness, 
and became a hard student ; and hence, though I never 
ground the faces of the poor, or sought the favor of the rich, 
I never wanted patients." 

Dr. Hamilton was the furthest man in the world from 
doing so, either ; the poor were his tender care, and the 
rich soon became sensible they had a gentleman, as well 
as a Christian, in their physician. I question if he ever 
had a patient upon whom he did not enforce the necessity 
and blessedness of religion ; and he often prayed with the 
afflicted. Reproofs were not withheld when duty called 
for them. 

On his settlement at Dunbar, he joined the Methodist 
society, without separating from the national church. He 
has remarked on this event, — " I could find no people who 
were more in earnest for eternal life, or whose affections 
were more placed on things above." All who knew him 



"268 LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1829-Age 78. 

in those early days have borne witness, that none, even of 
that society, went before him in that earnestness, or were 
more conspicuous for heavenly mindedness. The late 
Rev. Thomas Rutherford, who labored for some years in 
Scotland, was well acquainted with the doctor in those 
days, and gave the following testimony to the writer of 
this memoir : — " We never met," said he, " or parted, 
without prayer. Our fellowship was highly spiritual and 
edifying. I was most kindly received and entertained at 
the doctor's house, at all times, when I visited Dunbar." 
He acknowledged God in all his ways. 

After spending several years in Dunbar, and becoming 
possessed of considerable landed property, the doctor re- 
moved to Leeds, in Yorkshire. Here he had a much more 
extensive field of action in every respect; his religious 
labors were more extensive, and many praised God for 
him. He was indeed a savor of life to all whom he visited, 
or to whom he declared the word of life. His name in 
that eminently-favored place is still as ointment poured 
forth. He had Christian fellowship with those who were 
most devoted, several of whom were the intimate friends 
of the late Rev. John and Mrs. Fletcher, of Madeley, and 
he was highly esteemed by them. 

His friends in the metropolis (which he had visited 
occasionally) had a high respect for his character, and felt 
their need of such a physician in every sense : they there- 
fore earnestly invited him to come and settle among them. 
After some time he complied, and this great city had the 
benefit of his labors for upward of thirty years, and of his 
edifying example in life and death. Soon after his arrival 
he was elected physician to the London Dispensary. The 
gentlemen who conducted that institution soon found the 
blessedness of having a conscientious physician, in whose 
sight the lives of the poorest patients were precious. 
Several instances also occurred wherein he saw the care 



1829-Age 78. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



269 



and faithfulness of his divine Master. He was mercifully- 
preserved in the haunts of misery and crime. Going one 
day to visit a poor person in a place noted for both these 
evils, he was surrounded by a gang of thieves, but was 
wondrously delivered by a woman screaming from one of 
the upper windows, " Don't touch the gentleman : that's 
the good doctor that saved the life of Mrs. Moses." 
The rogues slunk away in all directions. After a few 
years, however, he was obliged, through the increase of 
business, to relinquish this honorable situation. 

But Dr. Hamilton found that he must not expect to be 
exempt from that declaration of his divine Master to his 
beloved disciples, "In the world ye shall have tribulation." 
His domestic comforts were many, but they were mixed 
with suffering of the tenderest kind. He lost two pious 
and amiable wives before he came to reside in London : 
also two sons in the army ; they were fine young men, of 
great promise, and appeared not to be formed for the com- 
mon walks of life. His eldest son, Col. James Hamilton, 
of the Columbian army, has been mercifully spared, and is 
still in South America : his younger brothers had com- 
missions in a Highland regiment : Thomas, the elder, was 
lieutenant and adjutant ; the younger, William, was lieu- 
tenant : they served in Egypt; and for some time were 
partakers of the toils and dangers of that difficult service. 
On the failure of the attack on Rosetta, in the month of 
March, 1807, under Major General Wauchope, in which 
the general himself fell, and six hundred and fifty of his 
men, besides officers, were killed or wounded, Brigadier 
General the Hon. William Stewart was ordered to march 
with a strong detachment of the army, which was then 
encamped on the heights of Alexandria, in order to repair 
the loss, and reduce the city. This detachment, which 
included the Highland corps, did all that brave men could 
do ; but they failed of success, chiefly owing to the facility 



270 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1829- Age 78, 



with which the Turks could receive reinforcements, the 
navigation of the Nile being open to them from their posi- 
tion at Rosetta. Seven hundred men, with several valu- 
able officers, were lost on that occasion ; and the distressing 
intelligence arriving before any of the details could be 
known, the doctor and his family were deeply afflicted. 
But his faith failed not ; and in a little time the voice of 
thanksgiving ascended in his joyful mansion, and, by the 
doctor's express desire, in the great congregation also. The 
adjutant escaped unhurt, though his horse was wounded ; 
and his brother, the lieutenant, was only struck, almost un- 
consciously, by a spent ball. But, alas ! the voice of 
mourning succeeded, in a little time, to the voice of grateful 
joy. The adjutant was seized with a fever, a few weeks 
after the army's return to Alexandria, which baffled the 
skill of the physicians, and consigned him to an early 
tomb. This was a severe shock, but the doctor bore it 
well. " The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, 
blessed be the name of the Lord," seemed, in truth, the 
language of his bleeding heart. 

Lieut. William Hamilton returned with his regiment to 
England; and soon after was stationed in Scotland, where 
the corps recruited its numbers. He then negotiated an 
exchange with a captain of another regiment, serving under 
Lord Wellington, in the Peninsula, to which he soon after 
repaired, as captain in the Buffs. He was there a partaker 
of the toils and dangers of that memorable warfare, till the 
army had fought its way through Spain, and gained the 
south of France, when he was mortally wounded, while 
following a flying enemy, as major of brigade, to which 
post he had been just appointed. An account of his la- 
mented death, and a eulogium on his character, were given 
to his afflicted father, by his immediate commander, Major 
General Byng, and by Lieut. General the Hon. William 
Stewart, K. B commanding that division of the army. The 



1829- Age 78. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



271 



first letter was directed to Mr. James (afterward Colonel) 
Hamilton, then in London ; the second to his afflicted father. 

Vieux Moguerre, near Bayonne, December 31st, 1813. 

Sir, — It is with the utmost concern I have to announce 
to you the death of your respectable and ever-to-be-lamented 
brother, Captain William Hamilton. 

In imposing on myself this painful duty, I will not 
presume to offer consolation. I am well aware that human 
nature must feel the loss of a relative so much to be beloved. 
It is to do justice to his merits that I have intruded myself 
on your notice, leaving to you to break the news to his 
father. 

On Captain Hamilton joining my brigade he brought 
with him no particular introduction to me ; but his conduct 
as an officer soon drew my attention, and a further ac- 
quaintance obtained my respect for his character, both in 
public and private life. When I had the misfortune to lose 
my brigade major, on the 10th of November, I selected 
your brother to do duty as such, until the successor joined 
me. During a period of three weeks he lived in my 
house, and created in me a regard for him, which will, I 
think, be extended to his memory during the remainder 
of my existence. 

To mention his conduct on the 13th, it is only necessary 
to say, he received his wound when foremost of the brave 
men who were pursuing the enemy; and his gallantry, 
mixed with regret for his sufferings, was the theme of 
conversation among the many who had witnessed it. He 
does not appear to have suffered much of late, and it 
pleased Heaven to take him from this world on the 29th 
instant. Yesterday the last sad office took place ; and at 
a future period it may be some consolation to know that it 
was in our power to have that ceremony properly attended 
to. His remains lie in the church of Cambo, in front of, 



272 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1829-Age 78. 



and close to, the altar : a respectable clergyman, chaplain 
to the division, read the service ; and every officer who 
could be spared from duty attended. It being out of my 
power, from my command in advance, to go so far, I was 
reluctantly absent ; but my aid-de-camp attended for me, 
and was a pall-bearer. 

It appears he had made some disposal of his property in 
this country : every attention has been paid to his wishes ; 
and you will, by the next mail, receive an account of every 
particular, from one of his most intimate friends. 

I have trespassed much on your time at a most distressing 
period ; but I have been induced to relate minutely these 
circumstances, in the hope hereafter you may be able to 
attend to them, and that they may afford you, and all my 
lamented friend's family, some slight consolation. I have 
the honor to be 

Your faithful servant, 

John Byng, Major General. 

Mr. James Hamilton. 

Petit Moguerre, front of Bayonne, January 5th, 1814. 

Sir, — Although it is a painful task, yet as I conceive 
that it may be some alleviation of the distress which you 
now are feeling from the loss of an estimable son, if I 
state to you my high approbation of that son's conduct 
while under my command, I take this opportunity of 
assuring you that no officer in the second division has 
uniformly held a higher degree of reputation and of respect 
than the late Captain Hamilton, of the Buffs. Major 
General Byng, in whose brigade he has served, and the 
whole corps of the Buffs, bear equal testimony to this 
flattering circumstance ; and highly honorable as has been 
his death, not less so was his private as well as his official 
character while living. 

You will, I sensibly feel, appreciate my motive in thus 



1829-vA#e78- 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



273 



intruding a melancholy subject on your attention, which is 
already, I doubt not, but too much alive to the severe loss 
you have sustained. Permit me to subscribe myself, 
Your faithful and humble servant, 

William Stewart, Lieutenant General. 
Dr. Hamilton. 

The doctor was thus, like the patriarch, bereaved of his 
beloved sons ; but no joyful restoration, as in the case of 
Jacob, cheered his afflicted mind. For that, he knew he 
must look through death to the resurrection : he felt as a 
parent; but he bowed with submission to that adorable 
Sovereignty which, we know, does all things well ; but 
gives no account of the providential government. Like the 
marquis de Renty, he could say, " I feel my affliction ; but 
I do not give myself up to it ; but to Him who has sent 
it, and will sanctify it." " What I do," said the Lord of 
life and death, " thou knowest not, but thou shalt know 
hereafter." 

From this time our excellent friend kept on "the noise- 
less tenor of his way," doing and receiving good ; and, 
through sanctified afflictions, more than ever " a stranger 
and pilgrim in this world, seeking a better, even a heavenly 
country," which his every thought seemed to anticipate. 
He was favored with a long life, and almost uninterrupted 
health ; and with opportunities of dispensing the word of 
life in some of the most respectable congregations (besides 
that to which he belonged) in the metropolis. His mind 
was stored with religious truth, which he could illustrate 
from history and science. But his chief glory was the 
gospel theme, which indeed seemed to dwell in his heart, 
and to be as habitually supported there by as deep poverty 
of spirit as I ever observed in a professor of religion. 
This spirit will always be acceptable and edifying to those 
who truly wait upon God, and who mix faith with the truth 
12* 



274 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1829-Age 78. 



which is delivered to them. In speaking thus, I do not 
forget the aversion which my venerable friend ever ex- 
pressed respecting creature praise, even of that praise 
which is posthumous, and hence is the least calculated to 
do harm. I think I ought not to omit mentioning his 
personal appearance, deportment, and manners, which 
would have adorned any rank in human soeiety. These 
are gifts which call for the highest faithfulness, as they 
are eminently the " savor of life or of death" to those who 
possess them, as well as to those concerning whom they 
are exercised, and especially in a religious community. 

But the time drew near that he must die ; yet the ap- 
proaches of dissolution were so gradual, that they gave but 
little alarm to his family, especially as he abated not his 
usual professional exertions till about three weeks before 
his death. I had several serious conversations with him 
on the expected event ; but the habitual seemed to swallow 
up the necessity of the actual preparation. His disorder 
at length assumed the appearance of that which removed 
the late lamented duke of York from this world. It settled 
chiefly in the limbs, and especially in one leg : it eventually, 
however, rose to the vital organs, and thus baffled the 
efforts of the most skillful men, who gave their attendance 
with a constancy and an affection that have been rarely 
equaled. He sunk into death, and rose to live a life of 
glory, on Saturday, the twenty-first day of April, 1827, in 
the eighty-seventh year of his age. 

I had the privilege of being present at the closing scene. 
His last prayer was for me. Holding my hand in both of 
his, he grasped it with all the strength that remained in 
his dying frame, and with petitions, the vocal strength of 
which surprised me, while they seemed to be the ejacula- 
tions of spirit, darted upward to the throne of grace, he 
commended me to God, as hie dear friend, for time and 
eternity ! In about an hour his spirit followed the flight 



1813-4°-e62. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



275 



of his intercessory prayer. — My physician, friend, and 
brother was no more ! His pious and estimable partner, 
who suffered the will of God in a distressingly-weak frame, 
survived him about eighteen months. Thus lived, and 
died in the Lord, Dr. James Hamilton. 



At the close of the year 1813 we find another letter of 
Mrs. Blachford to Mr. Moore, in which she says : — 

" A thousand thanks for your kind letter respecting the 
closing scene of my departed, but still loved friend, Mrs. 
Moore : her record is not only on high, but is engraved in 
the hearts of many who have benefited by her holy life, good 
counsel, and affectionate attention to their best interests. 

" I had hoped to have seen you both once more — now 
I give up all expectation of my ever seeing even yourself 
in this world again. 

" The shadows of the evening of my life are closing- 
fast around me, and my sight is severely affected lately, 
so that it is with difficulty I can either read or write, which 
is distressing to me, as reading has been my principal 
amusement for these threescore years : I bless God I am 
not melancholy on account of this deprivation, as by far the 
greater part of the Holy Scriptures I have so much by 
heart as to be able to go on with any child who can little 
more than spell, without looking over her. Remember me 
affectionately to Mrs. Rutherford : I rejoice that she is 
with you : many of my melancholy hours have been 
cheered by her amiable society, and that of her kind and 
good husband, in past years of sorrow : well, we shall all 
live again to part no more ! 

" Is it pride or affection which makes me linger over 
every proof of homage paid to the talents of my beloved 
Mary ? and which now induces me to request that you 
will look into the poetical department of the Annual Re- 



276 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1813-Age 62. 



gister, for 181 1 , where you will find that they have selected 
from her pen The Lily, and some beautiful lines from 
Psyche. Such things give me a sad, sad pleasure, for 
they are tributes to her genius, and memorialize her, though 
she hears them not in the cold tomb : I am often gratified 
by her praises, nor is it a small one to know that Sir James 
Mackintosh, a man of undisputed taste and judgment in 
all such matters, ranks 'Psyche as the first female pro- 
duction in our language.' 

" I think now that I never properly estimated her talents, 
but suffered myself solely to mourn over her neglect of 
religion : besides, I saw that literature was a snare to her 
spirit, and I deprecated all which stole her heart away 
from the God of her youth : ' God is love let us rejoice 
in this blessed truth in reference to others, but more espe- 
cially in reference to ourselves, written as it is upon our 
hearts by the finger of God, and confirmed also by the life 
and words of our blessed Redeemer, and by the whole 
economy of redemption : let us, therefore, bless his name, 
take courage, and go forward in our heavenly journey!" 

That Mr. Moore keenly felt his bereavement in the 
death of Mrs. Moore was evidenced by a sadness of sorrow, 
which at times brought his spirit into great bondage : still, 
however, a strong conviction of the potency of prayer to 
God, through the merits and mediation of Christ, for sus- 
taining grace, held also a powerful influence over his mind: 
at times he was ready to accuse himself for having, during 
her last illness, besought God more earnestly for his sus- 
taining grace, and for submission to his holy will, rather 
than having used his utmost energy of faith in entreating 
the Lord to spare and restore the afflicted, as he formerly 
had done. This species of self-upbraiding at length be- 
came so overwhelming to his mind, that he almost forgot 
her beatitude amid this feeling of regret for the loss which 
he had sustained. 



1813-Jg-e62. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



277 



It is said in holy writ, that God often " instructeth man 
in dreams and visions of the night;" and if, under any- 
heavy mental pressure, the spirit becomes, during its appa- 
rent captivity to sleep, relieved of its weight of affliction, 
it may be, that by the gracious permission of the Most 
High, the feelings may be thus soothed, though the spirit 
can but imperfectly define the immediate source of its peace. 

That Mr. Moore experienced something of this feeling, 
appears from the following circumstance, which certainly 
tended to relieve his mind from its pressure of disquietude. 

Mr. Moore had retired to rest at his usual hour, but his 
mental distress long kept sleep from his eyes : at length 
he thought he saw a female figure in the room, which he 
believed to be Mrs. Moore; in haste he drew aside the 
curtains in order to obtain a better view of the figure — but 
all was gone. 

He afterward fell asleep, and dreamed that the same 
vision presented itself, but still more perceptibly, and in all 
the appearance of the days of her youth and beauty, and 
her countenance beaming with joy and peace. Mr. Moore 
expressed his rapture on again beholding her, and he then 
inquired, " My dear, how do you spend your time ?" She 
answered, "In holy joy; but do not envy me my happy 
condition." " Envy you, my dear," her husband replied, 
" surely that is impossible, I could not envy you any feli- 
city." " Then be contented to wait : you have more to 
do, and when that is accomplished, then shall you come 
to me." Mr. Moore added, " Tell me, my dear, were you 
not in my chamber last night ?" (So the time appeared to 
him.) A beam of heavenly light seemed to irradiate her 
countenance while she looked upon her husband, but she 
made no reply, and on his earnestly repeating the question, 
she vanished away; but the impression made upon Mr. 
Moore's spirit tended greatly ever after to soothe the 
afflicting reasonings of his mind. 



278 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1814-Age 63. 



The conference of the following year, 1814, was held 
in Bristol, and thither Mr. Moore went with peculiar 
pleasure, as it contained many of his most tried friends ; 
and the associations of the past were so mingled in his 
social enjoyment of these occasional personal intercourses, 
that he never neglected any opportunity he could obtain, 
consistently with his ministerial labors, to visit a people 
he loved, and who ever retained for him the kindest respect. 

As the period for Mr. Moore's leaving the London circuit 
had arrived, his Liverpool friends again solicited his 
ministering among them, and as their entreaties were 
strong, and his own kind feelings toward them were in 
unison with their wishes and the views of the conference, 
he was appointed to that circuit. 

Before Mr. Moore left Bristol, in order to remove to 
Liverpool, an event took place which bore much upon his 
after comfort. 

Naturally of an extremely social disposition himself, and 
of thoroughly domestic habits, he could not long be ex- 
pected to remain a widower ; and his judgment ever ruling 
his feelings, his friends looked that his choice of a second 
wife should prove his discretion: nor did he by that choice 
make void the well-grounded anticipations of his friends. 
He was united in Bristol, in the month of August, 1814, to 
Miss Hind, the sister-in-law of the Rev. Joseph Entwisle, 
at whose house, in Bristol, she was then staying. 

Miss Hind was a middle-aged lady, of piety, a good 
understanding, and possessed of an independent fortune : 
this union ministered for many years to Mr. Moore's com- 
fort ; and the lady was respected and esteemed for her 
general urbanity, and her especial regard for the poor, to 
Avhom she freely and judiciously imparted, on all suitable 
occasions, her property, as well as her good counsel ; nor 
was her charitable hand ever withheld by her husband, for 
he ever looked upon the possession of property as one of 



18l5-Age64. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



279 



those talents for which he should be called to give an 
account, as a steward of the merciful bounty of his God. 

On all hands, the abuse of property is condemned as a 
sin ; but perhaps the use of it in the cause of God, and for 
the benefit of others, is too little regarded in the light of an 
absolute duty ; yet such it will be found when that judg- 
ment is set which will strictly determine the two respective 
sentences, " Well done, good and faithful servant;" " for 
I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat ; thirsty, and ye 
gave me drink :" or, " Depart from me, ye cursed, — for I 
hungered, and ye fed me not ; I was thirsty, and ye gave me 
no drink : forasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least 
of these my brethren, ye did it not unto me." 

In the year 1815 Mr. Moore published, at the request 
of the Wesleyan Conference, A Discourse on the Design, 
Fullness, and Blessedness, of St. Paul's Epistle to the 
Romans. 

There is no particular written account to mark this 
period of the life of Mr. Moore : his ministry was useful 
among the people, his discipline firm, and his conduct 
conciliatory. After remaining two years thus in Liverpool, 
Mr. and Mrs. Moore removed to Birmingham, where the 
people had often solicited his returning among them. 

Mr. Moore published, in the year 1817, a pamphlet 
entitled Thoughts on the Eternal Sonship of the Second Per- 
son of the Holy Trinity, in reply to the note on that subject 
in Dr. Adam Clarke's Commentary on St. Luke i, 35. 

Mr. Moore sometimes went from home, in order to 
preach what are termed " occasional sermons ;" though in 
by-gone years this custom was not so frequent among any 
denomination of Christian churches as it has become of 
late years. While absent on one of these excursions, in 
the spring of the year 1817, he received the following letter 
from his benevolent, pious, and excellent friend, R. C. 
Brackenbury, Esq., a man whose name has long been 



280 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1817-Age 66. 



revered for his extensive usefulness ; and to whose bounty 
and zeal are to be ascribed the first planting of the Methodist 
churches in the Islands of Guernsey and Jersey ; in the 
latter place he had a large house and establishment, which 
were made to subserve the cause of God among that peo- 
ple, to whom he was much attached. Mr. B. was an 
active member of the Methodist society, and a most edifying 
occasional preacher. The letter is as follows : — 

Footherly, April 4, 1817. 

My Dear Sir, — Being in the neighborhood of Lich- 
field, and hearing that you were expected to preach an 
anniversary sermon at our chapel there, Mrs. Brackenbury 
and I had purposed to attend the service, and afterward 
to have the pleasure of spending an hour in your com- 
pany and that of your esteemed partner ; but a sudden 
indisposition has totally disconcerted our plans. We 
cannot help regretting that Providence has permitted us 
to be brought so near together without indulging us with 
another short interview in this land of shadows : but the 
Lord's will is, in all such cases, our highest reason for 
submission ; and our cheerful acquiescence to all it ordains, 
is our present peace and our anticipated heaven. We are 
here on the melancholy occasion of Mrs. Brackenbury's 
sister's very dangerous illness : how long she may still 
survive is quite uncertain; and so likewise is this season 
of painful visitation in reference to myself. In all I would 
humbly adore the hand that smiteth, and magnify the name 
of that wise and gracious Being whose chastisements are 
favors, and who, " in the midst of wrath, still remembers 
mercy." I have been busily engaged for some weeks 
past in revising Mr. Drew's manuscript "Life of Dr. 
Coke :" I wished to converse with you upon the subject, 
but it must be forwarded to the Book Room, in London, 
in the course of a few days. 



l<SVt-Age 66. 



LIFE OP HENRY MOORE. 



281 



Mrs. Brackenbury unites in Christian love to sister 
Moore and yourself, with, my dear sir, 

Your affectionate brother in Christ, 

R. C. Brackenbury. 

It appears that during this year there had been much 
uneasiness in the Wesleyan societies in Ireland, relating 
to the subject of the administration of the holy sacraments 
by the Methodist preachers, in their own chapels. This 
deviation from Mr. Wesley's plan had long previously 
been generally adopted in England, and many of the Irish 
Methodists were also in its favor ; but, on the other hand, 
almost all the rich men of the society were against its 
introduction in Ireland ; and these were encouraged in 
their opposition by the example and countenance of the 
then leading preacher in the Irish Conference, the Rev. 
Mr. Averill. This permission to administer the sacraments 
to those societies who desired it, had been carried by a vote 
of the previous conference ; but at this, its next meeting, 
remonstrances against that vote poured in, and delegates 
from many of the counties arrived, in order to obtain the 
rescinding of the vote on this point. 

Owing to the uneasinesses, which were well known to 
the generality of the preachers in England, it was thought 
advisable to request Mr. Moore to go over to Ireland, with 
Mr. Reece, the president : as it was judged that his in- 
fluence would tend to pacify the dissentients ; and his 
personal knowledge of Mr. Wesley, and intimate acquaint- 
ance with his views on almost all subjects, might aid the 
councils of his brethren at this critical juncture. By letters 
to Mrs. Moore, we find Mr. Moore went to Dublin: lodging- 
while there in the house of his brother-in-law, the late 
Mr. B. Dugdale, a leader and local preacher of established 
character in Dublin ; but who was himself one of the 
leading men in the opposition. 



282 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



66. 



The chapel in the city of Londonderry had been fully 
settled on the conference plan : Mr. John Dinnen had been 
appointed there at the late conference, but had given offense 
to the chapel trustees by acting on the vote of conference 
in reference to administering the sacraments, and they put 
him out, not allowing him to preach, or to perform any of 
his ministerial functions in that chapel. The case being 
so clear, it was judged advisable to try at law whether the 
trustees had the power to reject any preacher sent by con- 
ference for any cause save only those of " false doctrine, 
immorality, or want of ministerial ability." The trial of 
this case came on just at the assembling of the conference ; 
an account of which is given in the following extract of a 
letter from Mr. Moore to his wife, dated, 

" Dublin, July 5, 1817. 

" On Friday morning the conference assembled : I was 
much pleased and comforted by their appearance and spirit : 
we immediately proceeded to business regularly, as though 
there was no matter of uneasiness, though there are many 
delegates from the country now in Dublin who are strong 
in their spirit of opposition to us. Yesterday evening, the 
junior counsel in the cause of the Derry chapel called 
upon me ; and I gave him full information concerning Mr. 
Wesley, his views, ordinations, and liberal plan, — so dif- 
ferent from the spirit displayed in all this commotion. He 
entered fully into the whole, and appeared highly gratified 
with the interview. I showed him my own authority to 
administer the sacraments, under Mr. Wesley's own hand ; 
and this document went into court, and I believe settled 
the whole question, as is attested by the court on the back 
of the document. 

" This day the cause came on ; I left the conference at 
twelve o'clock, and proceeded to the court : the combat 
had begun. When it came to the junior counsel's turn to 



1817-Age66, LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



283 



speak, I perceived that he was fully master of his subject. 
The conflict was strong, the delegates and the leading op- 
position men were all in court, and much excitement pre- 
vailed in reference to the decision : at last it came, and it 
was this, — That Mr. John Dinnen had the right of appoint- 
ment : that the man (a local preacher) whom the trustees 
had put into his place had no right : that the parties must 
go before the master in chancery to prove, if Mr. Dinnen 
had done anything which warranted the trustees in exer- 
cising their powers in refusing to admit him to the chapel : 
and that as they might have done this before, and which they 
had not done, he ordered that they should pay all the costs ! 

" The counsel cried out, ' All the costs, my lord V He 
replied, ' All the costs.' This is a terrible blow to them. 

" I went immediately to the conference, and gladdened 
them with the decision of the trial. It is believed that 
the opposite party will not proceed any further, as they 
cannot prove anything, or disqualification, against Mr. 
Dinnen. 

" We are going on well with business ; and expect the 
delegates to make some proposals to us the next week, but 
of what nature is not known." 

That proposals were made is evident from the annexed 
extract of a letter to Mrs. Moore, in which Mr. Moore 
says : " I send you on the fly-leaf the printed circular 
relative to the proposals of the delegates, and our conclu- 
sion on the subject. Mr. Reece is' set off for England ; I 
am filling the chair in his stead, for so the brethren would 
have it. I hope to reach Sheffield two days after him ; 
but he was obliged to be there at the opening of the con- 
ference." 

As the circular referred to will best state the ground 
of dissatisfaction, and explain the reasons for the rejection 
of the remonstrants, it is copied in order to show the 



284 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1817- Age 66. 



bearing of the whole subject ; and which, at a subsequent 
period, led to an extensive schism in the Irish Wesleyan 
societies. 

ADDRESS OF THE CONFERENCE IN IRELAND. 

Dearly Beloved in the Lord, — Having no doubt of 
your love for the cause of God, and your anxious concern 
to know the decision of the conference respecting the 
ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper, we therefore 
send you the earliest information. 

We regret that the vote of last conference gave offense 
to some of our people. In this we were the more sur- 
prised, as we thought the Plan of Pacification would have 
satisfied every reasonable mind ; and much more so those 
whose hearts were under the influence of that love which 
" hopeth all things, and thinketh no evil." The conference, 
however, having no end in view but the glory of God and 
your edification, and being anxious to restore peace and 
harmony in our societies, consented to waive all considera- 
tion of those deep injuries with which certain men have 
afflicted our people, seized upon our chapels, and attempted 
to destroy our characters by every species of calumny ; and 
at the request of the committee, purporting to be the repre- 
sentatives of those who took offense, we opened a friendly 
correspondence ; and after some time the parties met by 
deputation. At this meeting, we lament that nothing less 
than an absolute repeal of the vote of last conference would 
satisfy their committee. This we could not accede to: as, 
from the evidence which came before us, we were fully 
satisfied that it would neither restore nor preserve peace 
to the connection. The deputation, however, granted, that 
something might be done to reconcile all parties ; and in 
one of their letters to the conference they stated that, 
" possibly, if two or three brethren were regularly ordained, 
and appointed to administer the sacraments in those places, 



1817-Age 66. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE.. 



285 



and to those persons only who cannot otherwise receive 
them," it might answer the end proposed. This induced 
conference to invite a second meeting of their deputation, 
to inquire into the nature of that ordination to which they 
referred. By one of the committee, episcopal ordination 
was recommended. This we believe to be impracticable ; 
no bishop of the Establishment would ordain any man to 
act as a Methodist preacher. Another then mentioned 
ordination by Presbyterian ministers : to this we could not 
consent ; as it is contrary to our views and declarations to 
identify ourselves with any denomination of people dis- 
senting from the Established Church ; of which church 
we avow ourselves to be members. 

Nevertheless they were informed, that any plan, con- 
sistent with the conscientious claims of the people, and the 
integrity of the conference, which the committee might 
suggest, would be attended to. After all, we are sorry to 
inform you, so far were they from any accommodation, that 
they positively refused to admit of Methodist preachers, as 
such, administering the sacraments in any case or circum- 
stance whatever. 

And now, brethren, we assure you, our eye was never 
more single, we were never more united, never more de- 
termined to make every possible sacrifice for your sakes, 
and give ourselves entirely to the work of God, than at 
the present time ; and our attachment to our beloved king, 
and the excellent constitution under which we live, remains 
unshaken, notwithstanding the base insinuations by which 
these men have attempted to destroy our characters, in 
order to effect the one purpose for which they are striving 
— the subjugation of the Methodist connection to their will. 

Recollecting how our motives and our conduct have 
been heretofore misrepresented; and apprehending that 
similar measures may now be resorted to, in order to 
weaken your confidence in us, and alienate your affections 



286 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1817-Age 66. 



from us ; we entreat yon to receive this as a faithful state- 
ment of our proceedings upon the present question. 

" We commend you to God, and the word of his grace," 
earnestly praying that we all may be preserved in the unity 
of the Spirit and the bond of Christian love. 

Signed by order of the conference, 

Richard Reece, President. 
Samuel Wood, Secretary. 

Dublin, July 14, 1817. 

Writing to Mrs. Moore on the way home, after leaving 
Dublin, Mr. Moore says : " Through the tender mercy of 
God I am thus far on my way. We had a tedious passage 
of twenty-two hours from Dublin to Holyhead ; and every 
passenger on board was ill, for the ship not making way, 
rolled about, and it had a most distressing effect upon us 
all. I shall not attempt to describe to you the parting scene 
I had with my dear relatives and friends ; nor was it easy 
work to part from the preachers, who thanked God for my 
having gone over to them, and earnestly entreated me to 
repeat my visit. They are a good, and really a fine body 
of men, and in no respect behind the English Conference, 
except in number. 

" Poor Mrs. Blachford could hardly part from me: her 
kindness affected me greatly ; but she is bowed down with 
more than years. On the morning after I landed in Dublin, 
I called upon her, and she was cheerful and lively at 
seventy -three. Her only son — indeed her only child — 
had been indisposed for a day or two ; but no uneasiness 
was created in consequence, till the day after I saw her, 
when mortal symptoms appeared ; and they sent for Mrs. 
Blachford to his seat at Altidore, near Bray, about twenty 
miles from Dublin : his illness had assumed the form of a 
putrid fever. Mrs. Blachford arrived time enough just to 
see him unclose his eyes, fix them on her, and exclaim, 



l&11~Age6Q. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



287 



' My mother,' when they closed on all this world's con- 
sciousness ; and on Wednesday morning he expired, and 
has thus left her childless ! O what a deep are the Lord's 
providences : how soon has he followed his admirable 
sister, Mrs. Tighe ! His only child, a boy about thirteen 
years old, is his heir, and succeeds to his large fortune. 
How uncertain is all human happiness ! but I bless God 
that I was in Dublin when this heavy affliction was per- 
mitted to my friend : I said what I could to comfort her : 
she submits to the Lord, and adores him in all things ; 
but I think this last stroke has already partially inflicted 
its death-wound ! God help us all." 

This supposition of Mr. Moore was well founded : Mrs. 
Blachford did not long survive her son. Her husband 
and children were laid in the grave ; and though she was 
passive in the hands of God, yet her own days were 
numbered. The month following Mr. Moore's departure 
from Ireland, this lady wrote her last letter to her friend, 
in which the closing scene of life is contemplated with 
beautiful, calm serenity, and is as follows : — • 

August 29, 1817. 

My Dear Friend, — Your letter was particularly ac- 
ceptable to me, as there was something in our meeting and 
parting, after so long an absence, that left an impression 
on my mind which your letter has tended to efface. 

I feel my life to be sinking apace, and see death in full 
view ; but I hope the blessed word of promise will carry 
me safely over the last wave of life, as it has borne me 
through many of the black billows of this troublesome world. 

I have spent but few hours out of my bed since I saw 
you : pray for me that I may have Christian patience to 
bear the wearisome nights appointed to me. 

I make no apologies for this postage, as I am sure it 
will be the last I shall cost you. 



288 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE, 



1&\7-Age 66. 



You will hear when I am gone : till then suppose me 
to be in the land of the living, and pray for an increase of 
the faith and patience of 

Your sincere friend, 

Theodosia Blachford. 
The Rev. H. Moore, Birmingham. 

Not long after Mr. Moore had been stationed in Birming- 
ham, application was made to him to examine the manu- 
script papers of the late Mrs. Mary Fletcher, relict of the 
Rev. John Fletcher, vicar of Madeley, Salop, who had 
died December 9th, 1815. 

That singularly-holy woman had beep a personal friend 
of Mr. Moore ; and that she highly esteemed him, and 
confided in his judgment, appears evident from the circum- 
stance of her having named Mr. Moore as one she wished 
to prepare and publish her manuscripts, including selections 
from a copious journal Mrs. Fletcher had been in the con- 
stant habit of keeping through her whole religious life, — 
a life singular in itself, and peculiar from the religious 
features of the times in which she lived ; and embracing, 
as they necessarily did, much of the private, as well as 
the public, life of that holy, learned, self-denying, and 
laboriously-useful man of God, the Rev. John Fletcher, 
whose praise will remain imperishably engraven in the 
church militant till itself shall join the church triumphant. 

The Life of Mrs. Fletcher, by the Rev. Henry Moore, 
was published in the year 1817, in two volumes, 12mo. 
The motives for Mr. Moore's undertaking this task were 
not simply his having been affectionately urged to do so, 
at the dying request of his venerated friend ; but rather 
that he believed that the publication of the manuscript 
papers and documents of Mrs. Mary Fletcher would sub- 
serve the cause of vital religion, the religion of faith and 
good works ; and because Mr. Moore was himself satisfied 



1818-^e67. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



289 



of the deep piety, and the entire self-denying zeal, of the 
greatly-good Mrs. Mary Fletcher herself. 

The work was published in Birmingham, was well 
received, and very extensively circulated ; and passed 
through a second edition the following year. 

It will not be uninteresting to the reader to record in 
this place the particulars of an interview, with which Mr. 
Moore was incidentally favored, with another of those 
devoted, holy, and benevolent characters who are not only 
" the salt of the earth," but the very links between the holy 
in earth and heaven, that celebrated philanthropist — John 
Howard. 

The account itself is given in Mr. Moore's Life of the 
Rev. John Wesley, page 363 of the second volume, and is 
thus introduced by another interesting anecdote, relating to 
Alexander Knox, Esq. 

In writing to Mr. Moore, that gentleman says : — 
" In the course of Mr. Howard's tour through Ireland, 
in the year 1787, he spent a few days in Londonderry, 
(where I then resided.) I earnestly wished to see him, but 
bad health confined me to the house, and I thought I could 
not be gratified : such were my thoughts, when I was told 
a gentleman had called to see me. It was Mr. Howard : I 
was delightfully surprised : I acknowledge it as one of the 
happiest moments of my life. He came to see me, because 
he understood I was Mr. Wesley's friend : he began im- 
mediately to speak of him. He told me he 'had seen Mm 
shortly before in Dublin ; that he had spent some hours 
with him, and was greatly edified by his conversation. 
I was encouraged by him to go on vigorously with my own 
designs. I saw in him how much a single man might 
achieve by zeal and perseverance ; and I thought, why 
may not I do as much in my way as Mr. Wesley has done 
in his, if I am only as assiduous and persevering ? and I 
determined I would pursue my work with more alacrity 
13 



290 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1618-^4^ 67. 



than ever.' I cannot quit this subject," continues Mr. 
Knox, " without observing that excepting Mr. Wesley no 
man ever gave me a more perfect idea of angelic goodness 
than Mr. Howard : his whole conversation exhibited a 
most interesting tissue of exalted piety, meek simplicity, 
and glowing charity. His striking adieu I shall never 
forget. ' Farewell, sir,' said he, ' when we meet again 
may it be in heaven, or further on our way to it.' Precious 
man, may your prayer be answered, ' May my soul be with 
thine!'" 

Mr. Moore proceeds to his own personal interview with 
Mr. Howard thus : — 

" In the beginning of the year 1789 Mr. Howard called 
at Mr. Wesley's house, in the City Road, London, in order 
to take his leave of him previously to his again flying to 
the continent at the call of mercy. Mr. Howard carried 
his last quarto upon the jails under his arm, in order to 
present it to his friend ; but Mr. Wesley was on his way 
to Ireland. We were then residing at the City Road, and 
Mr. Howard favored us with his company for upward of 
an hour. 

" He delightfully called to mind the former days, when 
he had first heard Mr. Wesley, at his seat in Bedfordshire, 
and well recollected the discourse which made the first 
impression on his mind. 

" ' Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy 
might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor 
wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.' Eccles. ix, 10. 
* I have,' added Mr. Howard, £ but one thing to do, and I 
strive to do it with my might. 

" ' The Lord has taken away whatever might have been 
an incumbrance : all places are alike to me, for I find 
misery in all. He gives me continual health ; I have no 
need to be careful for anything. I eat no animal food, and 
can have all I want in the most inconvenient situations. 



1818-^e 67. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



291 



Present my respects and love to Mr. Wesley : tell him I 
had hoped to see him once more : perhaps we may meet 
again in this world ; but if not, we shall meet, I trust, in 
a better.' 

" We hung upon his lips delighted. Such a picture of 
love, simplicity, and cheerfulness, we have seldom seen. 
Taking his leave, Mr. Howard said, ' I think I have 
gained a little knowledge concerning the plague : I shall 
therefore, after visiting the Russian camp, pass into the 
Turkish, and from thence, by Constantinople, to Egypt.' 
So he purposed," adds Mr. Moore, "his heart being enlarged 
with the love of God and man. 

" But while this angel of mercy was ministering to the 
sons of war, in the hospital of the Russian camp, God said, 
' It is enough, come up hither, enter thou into the joy of 
thy Lord !' " 

The following letter, written by Mr. Moore to Mr. 
Joseph Dickenson, of Leeds, who had married his niece, 
Miss Rutherford, will be found interesting : — 

June 18, 1818. 

Very Dear Sir, — We were very much obliged to you for 
so speedily cheering us with the account of our dear Mrs. 
Dickenson's confinement ; and of your good hope, as it is 
ours also, of her entire recovery. Such a large and tender 
family will feel this mercy ; and in good time, we trust, 
learn to appreciate it, and all the other mercies of our most 
bountiful Lord. Present our love and most affectionate con- 
gratulations to your dear partner, and to the whole family. 

We have no knowledge where our next appointment will 
be: three circuits are mentioned, and have been pressed 
upon us ; but we know nothing, and are satisfied not to 
know, trusting our Lord will point out our way where we 
may have peace, truth, love, and good fruit. 

I would gladly comply with your desire to have my 



292 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1818-^e 67. 



thoughts on that awful subject, " the final judgment of 
God with respect to man ;" but the subject is too great for 
a letter. 

If you have Mr. Wesley's sermon on the subject, I think 
it will give you great satisfaction, as it has always given 
me. I generally divide the subject into three parts. 

The circumstances ; the judgment itself ; and the awful 
consequences. 

The circumstances are the dissolution of all visible 
things, the raising of the dead, and the division of mankind. 
All who have died in the Lord shall come with him, and 
be placed on his right hand. All who died in their sins 
shall come with the devil and his angels, and be placed on 
Christ's left hand. The judgment will commence with the 
opening of the books : "And I saw a great white throne, 
and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the 
heaven fled away; and there was foimd no place for them." 
&c. Rev. xx. All that God knows now concerning both 
parties shall thus be made known to the world, and to the 
universe ; hence it will appear why the one division are 
saved, and the other lost. The conversion and walk of 
the one ; and the -refusal to turn to God, and consequent 
continuance in sin of the other, will be made known even 
as God knows it. 

The consequences are — the one are received to that 
glory for which they believed and lived ; and the other 
party depart into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil 
and his angels. This is a short sketch, but I believe it is 
Scriptural. May the Lord impress it on your heart and 
mine. 

We hope soon to see you ; and to rejoice together. 
Our love to our dear nieces, Jane and Isabella ; and to all 
the little ones. I remain, dear sir, 

Your very affectionate brother, 

H. Moore. 



1819-Age 68. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



293 



That Mr. Moore was more than firm in his mental 
temperament has been seen in the progress of this narra- 
tive ; but that he was not unbending was evidenced when, 
in the year 1818, he was appointed to York, upon which 
field of ministerial action he entered in contradiction to 
the conviction of his own mind that it was not the place 
where he ought then to have been ; but this was increased 
when he found that the late Rev. Daniel Isaac was to be 
his colleague, as he feared, from a perusal of some of the 
works of that talented but original-thinking man, that there 
would not be much fellowship between minds so dissim- 
ilarly constituted : but throughout their sojourn together, 
as brother ministers, there grew up from their oneness of 
faith and love, a union of co-operation and a personal 
regard which, like Aaron's serpent, swallowed up all of 
the baser sort. 

The following extract of a letter written to Mr. Joseph 
Dickenson, of Leeds, will evince that Mr. Moore treated 
no subject which involved any spiritual consequence but 
as one of serious importance when proposed for his con- 
sideration. 

The letter itself is dated, 

York, February 22, 1819- 
* * * But to your question. 
I am not a good casuist in the qualities, or differences, 
of character which we see exhibited in human nature, on 
the stage of life : I believe there is nothing truly good in 
unregenerate man. There is a remarkable essay, among 
Mr. Foster's, on the subject you mention : I admired the 
book as very ingenious, and exhibiting much mental ability 
— but I thought it was not very safe for those who are not 
strong in faith. I believe that much which we see of de- 
cision among men is either constitutional or the effect of 
art : it may become habitual. The safe and true decision 
can only come from faith. 



294 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1820-Age69. 



This it is which produces a power continually to refer 
all things to God : a constant sense of his presence and 
mighty power ; and a confidence in his love through Christ : 
this will mend, and even take away, a constitutional defect. 
It will make us " steadfast, unmovable, always abounding 
in the work of the Lord," to which he calls us. Men of 
constitutional and habitual firmness may often appear to 
possess this excellence : but it is deceitful : it will not 
stand wind and weather. 

The weakest believer, if he hold fast faith, will be found 
superior to such a one in all matters of conscience and 
of true honor. We are glad to hear so much good of Leeds : 
the Lord is good, and he can build up all your waste 
places. I remain, dear sir, 

Your very affectionate brother, 

H. Moore. 

Mr. Moore, writing again to his relative Mr. J. Dicken- 
son, makes the following observations on a question 
proposed by that gentleman for his consideration : — 

York, July 5, 1820. 
* # * With respect to your question, I well 
know what it is to compare myself with others, and also 
to have confidence in my reason. But I found that reason 
was no match for passion, or for the love of the world — or 
even for desire : it is a blind and flattering guide : to think 
we can thus polish our old powers, and call that polish 
religion, is a most dangerous deception. 

True religion brings new powers into the soul which 
nature knows not, and which reason often vilifies. The 
rational so called, and even those of amiable dispositions, 
are as idolatrous, and as dead to God, as the most unrea- 
sonable and unamiable, and they have acknowledged this, 
when they have afterward been convinced of sin by the 
Spirit of God. 



1822-Age 71. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



295 



The Bible speaks of but three states ; those who are 
unawakened, and who generally think very well of them- 
selves ; those who are under the spirit of bondage unto 
fear, knowing only the law ; and those who have the Spirit 
of adoption, and find faith making all things new. 

Unfaithfulness and backsliding mar this work greatly, 
but still there is no true religion without true faith. 

Mrs. Moore unites in love to dear Mrs. Dickenson, our 
two nieces, and all the family. I remain, 

Yours very affectionately, 

H. Moore. 

After the death of Mrs. Blachford, the progress of time 
for two years is not marked by any particular event, or 
document, of Mr. Moore's life, or engagements, except by 
the following sympathizing letter, addressed to his friend 
Mr. Richard Smith, of Stoke Newington, occasioned by 
the afflictive bereavement that gentleman had just sustained. 

Bristol, September 14, 1822. 

My Very Dear Friend, — I really do not know what 
to say to one so greatly afflicted, yet I feel as if I ought to 
write to you. We had hoped to the last, — quod volumus 
facile credimus. Love indeed hopeth all things. Happy 
for us that our affairs are in better hands : He who is love, 
and cannot err, has I doubt not ordered all things well. 
Our sheet anchor in every storm is — Thy will be done : it 
is a fruit of the Spirit which never faileth, and which can 
be offered to Him we worship, when every other fruit 
seems to be obscured in a dark cloud. " I feel my afflic- 
tion," said the marquis de Renty, " but I do not give up 
myself to it — but to Him who has sent it, and will sanctify 
it : thank God," he continued, " that his will is done, and 
not the will of a sinner." 

We seem released, as well as the dear sufferer. We 
had so constantly offered her up in hope, so that at first it 



296 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1822-Age 71. 



seems strange for us not to have her burden on our prayer- 
ful spirits still to bear : but your burden, my dear friend — 
a friend that I have proved as one that sticketh closer than 
a brother — was quickly laid upon us, together with that 
of the dear little ones, and indeed of the whole family : a 
family the more afflicted, as the more affectionate. I trust 
you all seek the same refuge, a refuge that will never fail 
you. I have drunk of your cup, my dear brother, and have 
known what it was to lose an angel. I well remember 
my feelings when I was about to part from her dear re- 
mains : I could even have resisted the whole sable troop, 
if I had not been convinced that such feelings were folly, 
and that to indulge them would be sin. 

I, who had so often preached about death, never felt 
what it was till that hour ; nor did I ever feel the force, or 
sweetness of that word, " There shall be no more death," 
till I had so tasted of that bitter cup. 

Through death to life ! so He has ordained who has 
declared himself the way, — and passed that way himself. 
He has perfumed the grave. 

You have given up the spirit of your beloved partner, 
and you will patiently give up her earthly remains " in 
sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life :" — 

" When death shall all be done away, 
And bodies part no more." 

Mrs. Moore most tenderly feels for you, and for the 
whole family. She unites with me in love to the family 
of both houses. Happy for you who have such friends 
near you. 

I do not wish for a speedy answer, but when you can 
write, we shall be glad to hear how you and all the family 
are. I remain, my very dear friend and brother, 

Yours most affectionately, 

H. Moore. 



1822-Age 71. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



297 



Mr. Moore had been invited to, and stationed in, the 
Bristol circuit, where he met with the utmost kindness and 
attention, and ever felt himself much at home among a 
people who valued his ministry, and who entertained a 
high personal respect and esteem for his character. 

At this period he was much occupied in preparing and 
arranging his papers for an enlarged Life of the Rev. John 
Wesley ; and though his duties, as superintendent of the 
Bristol circuit, much impeded his literary labors, they did 
not wholly set them aside : Mr. Moore, having also left 
many personal friends in the different places where he 
had traveled, kept up with many of these a kindly corres- 
pondence ; his heart ever sorrowing on their occasions of 
sorrow, or rejoicing in their seasons of gladness. 

Some of such letters have already borne testimony to the 
generous sympathy of Mr. Moore's heart : and the follow- 
ing, addressed to his friend Mr. Richard Smith, will 
evince how he mingled consolation even while he was 
lamenting the recent painful bereavement of his friend. 

Bristol, November 29, 1822. 
Thank you, my dear sir, for all your kind inquiries re- 
specting us. We are comfortable here in the midst of kind 
friends and affectionate fellow-laborers. To your ques- 
tion of " Shall you see us soon ?" I can only reply, that if 
the Lord spare us in life, it is probable that we may attend 
the annual missionary meeting, London, and then the dear 
friends at Stoke Newington it will rejoice us to visit, though 
it will painfully remind us of one who was to us a partial 
friend ; one who received in love every little attention, 
and who repaid it with a kindness not often met with, and 
which it is impossible ever to forget. I rejoice that now 
the healing hand of the Lord is upon you all : " God made 
not death," said the wise man, it was originally threatened 
as a curse ; but the death of Him we worship has turned 
13* 



298 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1822-Agell. 



it into a blessing : " Blessed are the dead who die in the 
Lord :" " Death is theirs," says the apostle, that is, every 
circumstance of it shall be ordered for their good : they 
are taken away just when it is best for themselves, and for 
those who are left, however contrary it may appear to hu- 
man judgment and to human feeling : let us strive more 
than ever so to live, that we may join your dear partner 
above, and those who, having kept the faith, have now re- 
ceived the prize ! 

The arrival of some missionaries here, who are to em- 
bark at this port, has greatly interested the Bristol friends. 
On Thursday evening last, in compliance with the desire 
of the committee in London, I addressed them on the sub- 
ject of their calling, and departure from their native land. 
The congregation was large and very attentive, and hear- 
tily joined in prayer on their behalf. I read, as a tolerably- 
long text, a letter written by Mr. Wesley to a friend, on 
his own departure to Georgia, eighty-seven years ago : I 
never saw anything to equal this document : its price is 
above rubies : I marvel that it has never seen the light ; 
but Deojuvante, it will soon be published with several oth- 
ers, in my Life of Mr. Wesley, now so nearly ready for the 
press, that I could begin it at once, but that I wish first to 
offer it to the conference. 

Have the kindness to present our love to dear Mr. and 
Mrs. Sundius and family, and with our tender regards to 
your dear little ones, believe me to be, dear sir, 

Your affectionate friend and brother, 

H. Moore. 

The generally-allotted period for a Wesleyan preacher's 
location in a circuit being nearly arrived, it became a mat- 
ter of some solicitude where Providence should next cast 
the lot of Mr. Moore ; but, as on all occasions, he was not 
anxiously careful on this head, knowing that God, who had 



1823-Age 72. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



299 



sent him forth to preach the gospel, would point out his 
way through all the course of that life which had been so 
solemnly, so unreservedly dedicated to the service of his 
holy altar. That prayer was added to faith and true 
Christian confidence, appears from the annexed letter ad- 
dressed to his friend Mr. Richard Smith, who, as one of 
the circuit stewards, was officially called upon to send to 
Mr. Moore the request of the London East circuit, that he 
would accept the invitation of that society to minister to it, 
should the conference see fit to accede to the request. 
The letter is as follows, and is dated, 

Bristol, January 30, 1823. 
My Very Dear Friend, — I have received your very 
kind letter, and am thankful to the Lord, and to you, for 
its contents. We had for some time united together in 
prayer for the direction and blessing of Almighty God re- 
specting our future appointment, should it please him to 
continue us in his active service : we have therefore 
received your letter of invitation as an answer to our peti- 
tions. You know, my dear sir, that an invitation to Lon- 
don East from you must be attended with recollections 
interesting to me in the highest degree. That the friend 
who shared dangers with me so generously and promptly, 
contrary to every personal consideration, should be the 
person who in the course of years should invite me to 
return to that circuit, is to me a most interesting circum- 
stance. 

I am encouraged therefore to abide the full expression 
of the Lord's will respecting an overture so kindly made. 
Have the goodness to present our kind respects and thanks 
to your colleague, Mr. Buttress, for his testimony of interest 
and regard on this occasion, as also to the other friends 
who so kindly concur with you in it. 

My not being superintendent, will be both gratifying and 



300 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1823-Age12. 



convenient to me ; as the new memoirs of Mr. Wesley will 
take up much of my time and attention, as I am anxious that 
they should appear in the course of the year. I remain, 
my dear sir, 

Your obliged and affectionate friend, 

H. Moore. 

During the sittings of the conference of this year, 1823, 
Mr. Moore received the following letter from the late 
excellent and benevolent Thomas Thompson, Esquire, 
M. P., residing at Cottingham, near Hull, with whom 
he had a sincere and continued friendship for many years : 
it is dated, 

August 5, 1823. 

My Dear Sir, — I have no doubt but that God is in- 
creasing his work in this circuit, and that we should still 
see increased prosperity if the conference would grant us 
a fifth preacher. I therefore pray that God may influence 
the minds of our dear brethren in the conference to send 
us an active young man, full of zeal for the conversion of 
souls. As to support for a fifth preacher, I have not the 
least doubt upon that head, as I may say to the praise of 
my brethren in Hull, that for the last fifty years I have 
not known any plan of proceeding intended for the glory 
of God which they have not adopted ; nor has any failed 
for want of pecuniary aid. Help us by your influence in 
this matter. 

While writing I am constrained to say, that your affec- 
tion for, and attention to, my dear wife and daughter now 
in glory, forcibly impress my mind — and still lead me to 
grateful thankfulness to God, and to yourself. 

The mother and her daughter, who had gone to Penzance 
in quest of health, both died there, and were, I question 
not, mutually helpers of each other's joy on earth, and are 



1823- Age 72. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



301 



now unitedly praising the God of their salvation, with the 
spirits of the just — in heaven. 

I am endeavoring to work the work of God while it is 
day : it is but a few more I may have to live, — and to fin- 
ish my course with joy, and join those who have washed 
their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, 
is my constant care and earnest prayer. I am truly, my 
dear sir, 

Your affectionate and obliged, 

Thomas Thompson. 

A pious and properly-regulated mind must ever feel that 
next to the approbation of the great Head of the church 
on his ministerial labors, ranks the love and confidence of 
those who compose the pillars and body of that church, in 
giving satisfaction and comfort to the mind of a minister on 
his retiring from the immediate scene of his pastoral min- 
istrations : the church is well capable of judging, whether 
a man has so done the work of an evangelist that his 
" labor has not been in vain in the Lord ;" and that whether 
in season or out of season he has sought the good of souls ; 
labored to enlarge the kingdom of Christ ; and so preached 
him as the sum and substance of man's redemption, as the 
saviour of sin, as the comforter of the afflicted, as the co- 
vert from the storm, the shadow from the heat of all the 
trials of this life, and the fiery assaults of the evil one, that 
the flock of Christ, to guard which he was appointed, has 
not been diminished ; and of which, by God's blessing on 
his holy counsels and self-devotion, he will be able to 
give good account at the dread day of final judgment. 

That Mr. Moore enjoyed this holy satisfaction, evidently 
appears from the following copy of a document, presented 
to him and signed by the two circuit stewards of the Bristol 
circuit, and thirty-two other official and leading members 
of the society. 



302 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1823-Age 72. 



Bristol, June 27, 1823. 

Rev. and Dear Sir, — As the period of your removal 
from this city will shortly arrive, we cannot suffer it to 
elapse without an expression of our sincere and affection- 
ate esteem for your person and ministry. Some of us 
recollect the wisdom and decision you displayed many 
years since, in a situation of the greatest emergency, and 
all of us having participated in the benefits resulting from 
the measures then adopted, gratefully attribute them to 
the superintending care of Him, " without whom nothing 
is wise, or holy, or strong," but who was pleased to em- 
ploy you as the instrument in effecting his purposes. Were 
anything wanted to perpetuate, in those who have been 
long united to you in Christian fellowship, the sentiments 
of affectionate regard then created, or to excite similar 
feelings in those who have been more recently recognized 
as brethren, that supply has been abundantly afforded 
during the last three years you have resided among us. 

We trust that the time is yet comparatively remote when 
you may require a release from the fatigues and anxiety 
necessarily connected with itinerancy, and the important 
station you occupy in the church of Christ ; and that the 
interests of the latter may be yet further promoted by your 
counsel and influence, while thousands are favored with 
your ministry, who shall form your " crown of rejoicing in 
the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming." 
Should the period arrive when nature may say, "It is 
enough," and, in the tranquillity of more retired life, claim 
that indulgence to which in her decline she is so justly 
entitled, allow us very affectionately to recommend Bristol 
to your attention as your permanent domicil, assuring 
you that our hearts and homes are already prepared for 
your reception, and that it will afford us the highest grati- 
fication to contribute in the smallest degree to the happi- 
ness and comfort of one who possesses the strongest 



im+Age 73. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



303 



personal claims upon our esteem and gratitude, and who 
is at the same time signalized as the friend and biographer 
of our late revered father in God — the Rev. John Wesley. 

"We beg to present our Christian regards to Mrs. Moore, 
and to subscribe ourselves, Rev. and dear sir, 

Your affectionate brethren and servants. 

At the conference of this year, 1823, Mr. Moore was 
for the second time elected president ; and, by virtue of 
this office, in the June of the following year, he again 
visited Ireland, and presided at the Irish Conference. 
Writing of his journey to Mrs. Moore, he says, " June 5th, 
I got to Shrewsbury through heat and dust without much 
suffering ; there I found Mr. Chettle had published for me 
to preach : for this I was unfit, but I yielded ; and the 
preaching was, thank God, made a blessing. Over-fatigue 
made me heavy to sleep, and I barely saved the coach in 
the morning ; it was fine, and we proceeded through the 
domains of the king of the mountains, and reached Bangor, 
where we dined, and immediately set off for Holyhead : 
I had some tea, and got to bed, where I was feverish and 
restless. At half-past six we went on board a fine vessel, 
with a beautiful cabin, and all the company genteel and 
pleasant ; but I could not enjoy myself, thinking how soon 
I should be sick ; but one hour after another passed, and 
still no uneasiness, but a sensation of hunger in its stead, 
quite unusual to me, so that I ate a wonderful breakfast, 
was perfectly well, and an astonishment to myself : the 
vessel glided smoothly through the water, and we could 
see the mountains of Wicklow two hours before we lost 
sight of those of Wales. 

" We landed at the beautiful pier of Howth, and were 
immediately surrounded by the preachers and friends, who 
were on the lookout for us, and received us with much 
affection. " 



304 LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. lS'25-AgeKi. 

Again, June 17th, Mr. Moore writes : — 

" All here seem to strive to make my visit among them 
agreeable to myself. We have large parties to breakfast 
or dinner almost every day, and they unite piety and ele- 
gance with perfect good nature. Our conversations were 
truly profitable, which I much feared could not have been 
the case among so many : but I enjoy the greatest liberty 
of spirit among these people, and forgetting all the painful 
past caused by the late schism, with anything of distrust- 
ful feeling, we remember it but in our prayers, and with 
much thankfulness that this event is so far quietly over ; 
the brethren are casting off their depression, and are look- 
ing for good days : I have great comfort in our own people, 
and the separatists treat me with much respect and kind- 
ness. I am glad I came. 

"I have received one hundred pounds for the distressed 
of Ireland from Mrs. Brackenbury, accompanied by a most 
sweet letter, wherein she expresses herself as the obliged 
party : the Lord reward her." 

During the course of this year Mr. Moore published the 
first volume of The Life of the Rev. John Wesley, A. M., 
in which he included the life of his brother, the Rev. 
Charles Wesley, A. M., and memoirs of their family ; 
also comprehending an account of the great revival of reli- 
gion in which they were the first and chief instruments : 
this volume had a rapid sale, and was well received. 
Much solicitude was expressed by the brethren and friends 
of Mr. Moore for the speedy appearance of the second 
volume ; which came out in the spring of the following 
year. 



1826-Jge 75. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



305 



BOOK VII. 

MISS WESLEY'S POEM ;— ERECTION OF HIND-STREET 
CHAPEL. 

[1826—1836.] 

It will not be matter of surprise, that every member 
of the Wesley family entertained an affectionate respect 
for Mr. Moore, and of this number none had a more sin- 
cere attachment and respect for him than the late amiable 
and highly-gifted Miss Sarah Wesley, daughter of the 
Rev. Charles Wesley. This lady always delighted herself 
in the society of Mr. Moore, and to him unbosomed herself 
of many of those solicitudes she felt, but rarely expressed 
to others : several of her letters are among Mr. Moore's 
papers ; and those of a public nature will find their own 
place, but perhaps not in this memoir. The following- 
note, and its accompaniment, written at this time, will, 
however, interest the reader. It is dated, 

1 New-street, Dorset-square, June 20, 1826. 
My Dear Mr. Moore, — As I could not reach you 
yesterday by the time you mentioned, I inclose the lines 
of which I spoke to you. My intention is to send them 
to the president of the ensuing conference ; but as you 
are one of the oldest Wesleyan ministers with whom I am 
personally acquainted, I wish you first to peruse them. I 
shall take my chance of finding you from home on Wed- 
nesday next, by one o'clock ; I believe you are often from 
town, and as the conference must begin soon, I send the 
lines. 

My brother Charles unites with me in kind regards to 



306 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1826-^75- 



yourself and Mrs. Moore, and believe me, that wherever 
you are, I am, dear sir, with real regard, 

Yours most truly, Sarah Wesley. 

These lines were afterward printed in a small pamphlet, 
consisting of half a sheet. As they are but little known, 
they are inserted in this place from Miss Wesley's original 
copy. They are entitled, 

LINES TO THE MEMORY OF THE FIRST METHODIST 
PREACHERS. 

While heroes claim the palm, and poets sing 

The sapient statesman and the patriot king ; 

While beauty, genius, wit, by turns demand 

The sculptor's labor and the painter's hand ; 

While wondering crowds loud acclamations raise, 

And earth reverb'rates with the favorite's praise ; 

Shall nobler-Christians, in a Christian age, 

Have no memorial in affection's page ? 

Shall ceaseless vigils, persecutions, strife ; 

The sacrifice of ease, of health, of life ; 

Have no distinction grateful? no record? 

Yes ! valiant champions of a heavenly Lord, 

As long as patience, resignation, love, 

Are prized by saints below and saints above, 

Ye sufferers meek ! who pain and scoffs defied, 

Who warn'd, and wept, endured, and pray'd, and died, 

Ye shall be honor'd ! — 

The soldier fights for fame, and wins his prize ; 
But ye were outcasts in your country's eyes ; 
Reproach your bitter portion, outrage, hate, 
The martyr's sufferings, and the culprit's fate ;* 
Ye braved the ruffian blow, the infuriate clan, 
And all for love to God, and love to man ! 
O with what rapture, hail'd in realms on high, 
Did angels bear you to your kindred sky ! 

* Some of them were dragged to the common jail; some were 
pressed to be soldiers and sailors; and others were wounded with 
stones, or thrown into rivers. 



1826- Age 75. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



307 



Fruits of His purchase, to the Saviour given, 
And own'd the servants of the Lord of heaven. 

On all your sons may your bless'd mantle fall, 
The zeal that fired, the love that reach'd to all, 
Your scorn of earthly honors — earthly gain, 
Of toil, of malice, ignominy, pain ! 
Whether to distant shores despised ye roam, — 
Forsook your kindred, and renounced your home j* 
Or seek the prisoner sunk in dark despair, 
And teach the abject, hope, — the impious, prayer ; 
Whether, as messengers of mercy, fly . 
To haunts " where lonely want l-etires to die;"t 
Where'er ye sojourn, or where'er ye stray, 
May heaven's own light direct you on your way ; 
Till late translated to the choir above, 
Ye greet your fathers^ in the world of love ! 

To Miss Wesley's note, Mr. Moore returned the follow- 
ing answer: — 

Dear Miss Wesley, — We had hoped for the pleasure 
of your company yesterday, and with that expectation I 
stayed at home all day. I cannot say more in commenda- 
tion of the verses you sent, than that they are truly 
Wesley an : do you intend them for our Magazine ? I shall 
with pleasure present them to our president. 

When we lost in your father the sweet singer of our Israel, 
a good woman exclaimed, " Ah ! who will poetry for us 
now V Your verses will show that the spirit is not extinct 
in the family. With kind regards to Mr. C. Wesley, in 
which Mrs. Moore joins, I remain, dear Miss Wesley, 
Yours very affectionately, 

H. Moore. 

* Missionaries. 

t The Strangers' Friend Society, founded by Dr. Adam Clarke, — 
to which the late Bishop of Durham left £100 ; and which is sup- 
ported by voluntary contributions. 

X The Rev. John and Charles Wesley, and the Rev. George 
Whitefield. 



308 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1826-^75. 



Toward the close of the year 1826, it was supposed 
probable that Mr. Moore, upon his leaving London, would 
cease altogether from the duties of the itinerancy, and for 
the residue of his days locate himself where he might 
be useful, but not required to be laborious : but he still 
felt that life was strong in him, and though his physical 
force was abated, his mental energy existed in its vigor, 
and his soul consequently desired to go on in his Master's 
great work, and this energy of his spirit could not antici- 
pate the necessity of abstaining from the full duties of his 
holy calling, in such a circuit as did not require those long 
walks which, in the days of "lusty youth," he had taken 
with pleasure, nor felt them to be fatiguing. 

His friends in Bristol, anticipating his partial retirement 
from the ministry, again evinced that high regard for their 
venerable pastor, which had on a former occasion induced 
them to request his locating himself among them ; which 
will be seen from the following respectful and affectionate 
address : — 

Bristol, Nov. 3, 1826. 

Dear Sir, — You will doubtless recollect, that previously 
to your leaving us, we did ourselves the pleasure of ex- 
pressing a hope, that on your retiring from the more active 
and responsible duties of a circuit, you would take up your 
residence among us in Bristol ; — and we were much de- 
lighted at your allowing us to cherish an expectation that 
our wishes should be realized. 

We had hoped at the close of the last conference, that 
we should have been favored with some communication 
from you on the subject, and we cannot further delay re- 
assuring you, that our hearts are set upon the accomplish- 
ment of our wishes from a conviction that it will essentially 
promote the best interests of our society, while it will 
afford us opportunities of testifying our sincere affection 
for your person, and the high estimate we have formed of 



1827-Age76. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



309 



your character ; associated with the gratification of having 
among us the friend and biographer of the great founder of 
Methodism. 

Allow us yet to indulge the hope, if you are not finally 
determined to remain in London, that you will decide in 
favor of Bristol, and thus add to the valuable services you 
have already rendered to this branch of the church of 
Christ. 

Referring you to our former letter, wherein we more fully 
expressed our sentiments ; and with best wishes for the 
continued health of yourself and Mrs. Moore, we remain 
respectfully, dear sir, 

Your friends and most obedient servants, 

John Hall, William Rees, 

Circuit Stewards. 
W. H. Rogers, Alfred Jones, 

Society Stewards. 

To this interesting document were added twenty other 
names ; but Mr. Moore having resolved not to retire from 
the itinerancy, the kind wishes of his Bristol friends were 
gratefully acknowledged by his heart and pen, but de- 
clined. 

The year 1827 was one of deep interest to the Wesleyan 
body, and also of much anxious solicitude to Mr. Moore. 
In the town of Leeds a schism had taken place among 
the Methodists, which led to the withdrawal of a large 
portion of the members from the parent society, creating 
at the same time extensive uneasiness throughout the body 
generally. 

Mr. Moore heard with much pain of the offenses given 
and taken on both sides, regretting the extremes by which 
both parties were for a time led away, — believing, as he 
did, that conciliation had not been sufficiently tried with 
regard to some, nor kindly persuasion been observed with 



310 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 76. 



respect to others who were led away, rather than that they 
were real actors in the schism of that unhappy period. 

While he was himself firm in discipline, he ever felt 
that, as the overseer of the flock over whom for the time 
being he presided, like the great apostle he could say, 
" Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, 
and I burn not ?" This carefulness he evinced when, in 
the year 1805, he had been appointed to the Leeds circuit, 
succeeding the Rev. William Bramwell, a man eminent 
for piety, but whose zeal was not always tempered with 
knowledge. This had given offense to many of the society 
there, and the consequence was, that he went so far as to 
separate himself from his brethren ; and many of the society 
imbibing his extreme views, joined themselves as sepa- 
ratists, with Mr. Bramwell as their head. 

But this good man did not long remain thus dissevered, 
but reconciled himself to his brethren and to the con- 
ference. 

His people, however, remained a separate people ; and 
such Mr. Moore found them on his appointment to the 
Leeds circuit in the year 1805. In doctrine they differed 
nothing from the parent society, — but their zeal led them, 
in discipline, not to submit themselves to Methodist rule : 
among the number of the separatists were many of the 
very best of the people, — and over them Mr. Moore mourn- 
ed, — 'earnestly desiring their reunion with their former 
religious associates : nor did he wish it merely — but on 
the contrary he visited them at their own houses, and also 
occasionally frequented their religious assemblies, and at 
length persuaded the chief part of them to return, and 
become reunited to the parent society. For a time this 
conciliatory conduct of Mr. Moore occasioned among 
some of the old members a considerable degree of jealousy ; 
but the uneasiness lasted but for a short time, and the 
spirit of pure Christian love by which he was animated 



l§28~Agel1. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



311 



soon diffused itself around ; and the knowledge that he 
had been instrumental in greatly healing the breach was 
ever after a source of much satisfaction to his own mind. 

The great Mr. Baxter has said, " That if charity (or 
love) were separated from faith, he would think it his duty 
to be a martyr for the one as much as for the other." 

Mr. Wesley, a man conspicuous for faith, was alike 
extraordinary for a patient, ardent love, which knew neither 
bounds, nor succumbed to difficulties. 

Mr. Moore, his true son in the gospel, believed that faith 
and love never could be separated ; and he being thus con- 
vinced, added to the reasons before stated, could not but 
feel most painfully and acutely that more extensive schism 
which, in the course of the year 1827, again rent the 
Leeds Wesleyan society; but, alas, was not followed by 
the like happy termination. 

The following anecdote is singularly expressive of the 
very terse style of Mr. Moore ; and those who were present 
upon the occasion of its occurrence, as well as other of 
his friends, will probably not be displeased by its insertion 
here. 

In the year 1828, after one of the early meetings of the 
Wesleyan Conference, (which was held in London that 
year,) several distinguished preachers met at the breakfast- 
table of a medical gentleman who resides not far from the 
City Road chapel. Among other topics, the talents of 
the good and celebrated Dr. Chalmers became the subject 
of remark, when one of the company, addressing the Rev. 
Valentine Ward, who had traveled in Edinburgh, asked 
if it were true that Dr. Chalmers considered that our Saviour 
did not die for all men ? " Yes it is," was the reply, " for 
I once heard him say so myself." " Well, brother," inter- 
rupted Mr. Moore, " and what did you say ?" " I said a 
few things," replied Mr. Ward ; " but, feeling somewhat 
awed by the great doctor, I did not acquit myself to my 



312 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1830-Age 79. 



own satisfaction." " Did you ask him," added Mr. Moore, 
" to swear to it ?" " Swear to it, sir : no. What would 
have been the use of that ?" " Yes, brother, you should," 
continued the venerable preacher, with an emphasis pecu- 
liarly his own ; " you should have asked him to swear to 
it ; arid then it would have been for you to believe God 
Almighty or Dr. Chalmers on oath ; for it is written, ' As 
I live, saith the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of 
him that dieth.' " 

During the two succeeding years Mr. Moore continued 
his even ministerial course of duty ; but toward the latter 
end of the year 1829 he employed his spare time in 
writing a brief history of his early life and Christian expe- 
rience, from his birth down to the first conference held 
after Mr. Wesley's death. With this he published a few 
sermons, to show his doctrine, as well as his manner of 
life. This volume appeared in the spring of the year 1830. 

It is to be regretted that Mr. Moore did not bring down 
the memoir to a much later date ; imbodying, as it must 
have done, much of the history of Methodism; and his 
intimate acquaintance with its genius and constitution 
would have served as landmarks to future generations ! 

It appears from the following letter to his late friend, 
the Rev. Thomas Roberts, that Mr. Moore had presented 
a copy of this work to him, which that gentleman thus 
kindly and interestingly acknowledges :— 

Bath, April 6, 1830. 
My Dear Sir, — I take the opportunity afforded me by 
a friend of sending you a few lines to express the obliga- 
tion your kindness has laid me under, by the acceptable 
token of your affectionate regard which Mr. Entwisle has 
put into my hands. With much pleasure, and I hope with 
some spiritual profit, I have been made acquainted with 
your excellent Memoir, which was read to me by my 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



313 



daughter while I was confined to the bed in my recent 
illness. 

Together with many others who have been enriched by 
the supplies you have brought out of the divine treasury, I 
feel thankful to the Lord who has assisted you to furnish 
such a testimony to his gracious dealings with you, to the 
time of our venerable father's translation to glory ! But 
why conclude at that period ? Many an instructive lesson 
may be learned by generations yet to come, should the 
great Prophet of the Christian church enable you, under 
his blessed teaching, to continue a further narrative. It is 
too true, many strange incidents and grievous circumstances 
have afflicted our Israel, which it is hoped He who stills 
the raging of the people will ultimately direct to the esta- 
blishment of his cause : to touch on these at all must give a 
pious writer no inconsiderable pain, and perhaps some 
difficulty to set them in their own light ; but I am persuaded 
the clew is in your hand, and your infallible Guide will not 
fail to conduct you through the labyrinth. 

Allow me to congratulate you on your entire escape from 
the perils attendant on autobiography : you have set the 
Lord always before you; and the story is told in love-feast 
style. 

The anecdotes interspersed are not less entertaining than 
useful ; the Dunmanway anecdote particularly. The awful 
circumstance was frequently mentioned to me when I was 
there in 1788-9. The good Lord has been pleased to try 
me with heavy and painful bodily afflictions from last 
August ; but I am at present bordering on a state of con- 
valescence, though much debilitated : but He hath done it, 
and I am dumb, or only open my lips to praise him ! My 
dear brother ended his mortal course the twenty-seventh 
ultimo, and finished well. We fear for Mr. Samuel En- 
twisle : my son attends him, and does all that can be done ; 
but it appears as if the decree had gone forth. All my 
14 



314 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1830-^*?SI. 



family unite in love to yourself and Mrs. Moore, with, my 
dear sir, 

Your affectionate friend and brother, 

Thomas Roberts. 

The following valuable letter from the late learned and 
excellent Alexander Knox, Esq., cannot fail to interest the 
reader. It was written not long before the death of that 
learned and intelligent man; and evinces his religious 
views in as clear and satisfactory a light as they ever 
appeared : while the sentiments of the letter do credit to 
his head and to his heart in its best feelings. 

The letter is dated, 

Dawson-street, Dublin, November 23, 1830. 

My Dear Mr. Moore, — Ever since Mrs. Tims sent me 
your present of the autograph volume, I have wished to 
write to you, and more than once have begun to do so ; but 
a weak state of nerves impedes me in everything of this 
kind, and I am not always able to combat the reluctance 
which I consequently feel to mental exertion. 

I begin to feel, however, that if I continue much longer 
silent I must appear strangely insensible of the kind notice 
you have taken of my mother and myself in your interesting 
Memoir; but were I to give ground for such a suspicion, I 
should do great injustice to my real feelings. When I 
read that part of your life, I can truly say I felt sincere 
gratitude for your kind recollection of us, and of those little 
attentions to which we were in a very great degree led by 
your own engaging qualities. 

Your devotedness to religion was self-evident, and yet 
there was no abatement to your natural liveliness and 
pleasantry. My mother possessed more than common 
discernment of character, and she neither felt nor did any- 
thing by halves. She accordingly felt kindly toward you ; 



1830-Age 79. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



315 



and could not but show that she did so, as far as was in 
her power. 

Your account of the manner in which she was first 
drawn toward the Methodists, and at the same time drew 
my father, is perfectly correct : you exactly state the fact 
as you had it from myself. As it was vividly preserved 
in my recollection, so it has been in yours. 

Both my father and my mother were persons of peculi- 
arly upright minds : but my father had an equability of 
temper which preserved him from the fluctuations of the 
animal spirits, that are so often a hinderance, if not to the 
substance, at least to the comfort, of a religious life. In 
this respect he had the advantage of my mother : accord- 
ingly, from the time of his becoming acquainted with 
inward religion, (for which he ever after considered himself 
as providentially indebted to his acquaintance with the 
Methodists,) he proceeded onward with little, if any, devia- 
tion, until he became rjpe for a better world ! I have 
reason to believe that, especially for some time before his 
last illness, he was a bright example of everything that 
was amiable and excellent. My mother survived him 
between twenty -two and twenty-three years. 

I once asked Mr. Wesley whether, when he first knew 
my father, he supposed he would afterward desert him as 
a Mr. Knox, of Sligo, had done. " No," said he, "there 
was an integrity in your father's whole manner which made 
me reckon on his stability." As my father, under Provi- 
dence, owed his first religious impressions to my mother, 
who even before their marriage was ever endeavoring to 
lead him to what was good, so was she the means of 
awakening in me those devotional feelings which, in some 
degree, actuated me when you first knew me ; and which, 
at a later season of life, after years of deviation, were, I 
trust, by the mercy of God, irradicably deepened in my 
heart. But I think it right to mention to you, that in what 



316 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1830-Age 79. 



you state respecting the early circumstances of Methodism 
in Londonderry you have unconsciously fallen into some 
degree of error. 

What you suppose to have happened after my father's 
attaching himself to the Methodists, actually took place 
several years before. 

You know that the name of Thomas Williams is on 
record in the annals of Methodism ; and that Mr. Wesley 
mentions him with two others, to whom "The Syren Song" 
would be grateful — "that believers, who are notorious 
transgressors in themselves, have a sinless obedience in 
Christ." I believe this man continued to itinerate after 
Mr. Wesley had discarded him ; and in the course of his 
movements he visited Londonderry. 

He preached in the Diamond, (you remember the name ;) 
and, being a man of showy talents, he was listened to by all 
sorts and conditions. 

He at length formed a society; and, as long as he con- 
ducted himself with propriety, appeared to attract both 
attention and respect. It is said that when he felt his un- 
happy propensities likely to overcome him, he wrote to 
Mr. Wesley stating the promising appearance of things, 
and begged a preacher might be sent to replace him. No 
preacher came : not, I have understood, through Mr. Wes- 
ley's fault ; and Mr. Thomas Williams, having made a 
marriage with a young woman who happened to be well 
known in the town, went off, leaving her behind him. 

While Mr. Wesley was on his first visit in my father's 
house, the soi-disant Mrs. Williams came to inquire of him 
about her husband. Mr. Wesley desired my mother to be 
present ; and he simply told her that she had nothing to 
expect from Mr. Williams, as he had been similarly mar- 
ried once or twice before. 

How many years elapsed before Londonderry was again 
visited by a Methodist preacher, I cannot say, but I know 



1830-Age 79. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



317 



this event took place in the latter end of the year 1764, and 
it is remarkable that it arose from a conversation, perhaps 
quite casual, between two persons in low circumstances 
who had been members of Williams' society, and who be- 
gan to talk of former times, over, I believe, a pot of porter. 

While they talked, it would seem that some of the old 
feelings revived in their minds : they agreed that it would 
be a good thing to invite a Methodist preacher to London- 
derry, and they forthwith carried their project into execu- 
tion by writing to Dublin, requesting a preacher to be sent 
to them. The person sent was a plain, but very worthy 
man — his name was James Clough : I have understood he 
was not a little astounded when he saw the very poor ap- 
pearance of the two persons who had invited him. 

He had brought a few guineas with him, but they were 
very soon exhausted, and I am not sure but that he some- 
times wanted his dinner. How soon after his arrival my 
mother and father became acquainted with him I cannot 
tell, but I am sure from that time his difficulties lessened, 
and his wants were at least not unattended to. 

In the times which followed, no shadow of offense was 
afforded by the conduct of any Methodist preacher. James 
Clough was succeeded by John Johnson, and before they 
had separated, Mr. Wesley paid his first visit, the circum- 
stances of which are yet alive in my remembrance, though 
I was but seven years old ; but Mr. Wesley was a person 
never to be forgotten, consequently I relate from clear 
recollection all that I am stating : I can therefore go on to 
mention that Mr. Johnson was followed by Mr. William 
Thompson, and he again by Mr. Mark Davies : this last 
was my first instructor in Latin : I believe I need only 
mention the names of these men to satisfy you, that the 
false step to which you refer was an occurrence of other 
times : in fact, it happened not only before I was born, but 
before my parents were married. 



318 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1830-./lge 79. 



Nor was it the case that Methodism ever became popular 
in Londonderry, except in the former short-lived instance. 
My father, mother, and their brother-in-law, a Mr. Fairly, 
were the only persons of any consideration who counte- 
nanced the preachers. 

The circumstance of Mr. Wesley being placed next to 
the mayor at church arose simply from my father's taking 
him to the corporation seat, and from the politeness of the 
gentlemen already there, who made Mr. Wesley sit above 
them. This juxta-position produced, however, an invita- 
tion from the mayor to dinner, which Mr. Wesley accepted, 
and I well remember his saying four-and-twenty years 
after to this gentleman's son, whom he had invited, with 
some other clergymen, to meet Mr. Wesley at dinner, 
" Mr. Kennedy, one of the most useful lessons I ever 
received, I heard from your father : it was how best to 
reconcile two parties who were at variance ; namely, by 
leading each to give full vent to everything which formed 
matter of mutual complaint, and then to take that moment 
for bringing them to mutual reconciliation : I have since 
often followed that course, and seldom found it unsuc- 
cessful." 

The mayor had stated this to Mr. Wesley, as the method 
which he himself used with effect, for appeasing such slight 
differences as often came before him. 

My father's becoming a Methodist could not divest him 
of his influence in the town, which several circumstances 
concurred to maintain ; but it nevertheless made him as 
real a confessor as those became who, in the first centu- 
ries, embraced Christianity : they who had been accus- 
tomed to respect, and in some sort look up to him, could 
not imagine how he had been so bewitched : he was well 
aware that such was the general feeling, but I may with 
truth apply to him what is said of Moses — " He endured 
as seeing Him who is invisible." There was a grace and 



1830-.Age79. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



319 



suavity in his manner which made it impossible to with- 
hold outward respect, but he could not doubt that most, at 
least around him, despised him in their hearts. His 
brother-in-law whom I mentioned gave him little support. 

This gentleman had become somewhat religious in the 
Calvinistic way, long before he knew the Methodists, and 
heard no sermons which came near his own way of 
thinking until he came to Londonderry, and attached him- 
self to them. But his religion appeared to consist in doc- 
trines rather than in practical principles, and though for a 
time he manifested much zeal, his inconsistencies were 
such as to afford little satisfaction to his religious friends. 
Young as I was, I remember particulars which have made 
me deeply jealous of mere doctrinal religion. 

He, however, adhered to the Methodists during my fa- 
ther's life, but after his death, the poor man swerved I fear 
more and more, and though as tenacious as ever of his 
theoretic notions, and even ready to shed tears at the 
thought of our Saviour's love, he showed no evidence of 
subdued passions, or a purified heart. I mention these, I 
fear, uninteresting circumstances, simply to let you see 
what little support my father received from things or per- 
sons around him, and how completely, except so far as my 
poor dear mother encouraged him, he ran his race alone. 
His course was short, and in many respects beset with 
trials, which I am assured he bore with an equanimity only 
to be derived from the religion of the heart, and the con- 
tinued influences of divine grace : he possibly escaped 
temptations of a different kind by being removed to a bet- 
ter world, and he assuredly left a blessing behind him, of 
which in the way of Providence, I must say with humble 
gratitude, I have to the present hour been an ample 
inheritor. 

As my father could not, without a miracle, have been led 
to vital religion, but by means of the Methodists ; so, if he 



320 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1830-^79. 



had not been thus led, what might have been my state for 
this world, and for that to come 1 As to my use of the 
blessings I have received, I feel much reason for abase- 
ment ; but I hope and trust the hand of God has been over 
me, and that for more than three-and-thirty years I have 
in some measure been kept in the path of his command- 
ments. 

I cannot sufficiently estimate the advantages of my 
having been acquainted with Mr. Wesley, though that was 
not the means of making an impression on my heart : 
whatever has been lastingly done in this way, God himself 
was pleased to effect. But the lights which have been 
afforded me through my acquaintance with Mr. Wesley, 
and with his writings, I regard as invaluable. I deeply 
believe that he was raised for the very purpose of subli- 
mating the spirit of Christianity in these latter times, and 
freeing it from those repulsive concomitants by which its 
bright aspect had become enveloped in clouds and dark- 
ness. I conceive it a wonderful order of Providence that, 
when George Whitefield was sent forth, as if for the pur- 
pose of reviving the Puritanism of the sixteenth and seven- 
teenth centuries, John Wesley also should be so opportunely 
provided, and I may add, so exquisitely prepared, for teach- 
ing a simpler and purer doctrine, and bringing back, in a 
manner not exemplified in the western churches since the 
time of St. Augustine, the views of Christianity which had 
been entertained by the martyrs and confessors of the first 
four centuries. 

Doubtless the self-same principles had been enshrined 
in the ancient forms of our Liturgy ; but however sincerely 
their spirit might often have been inhaled, the height and 
depth of their import had been rarely adverted to, until Mr. 
Wesley arose, as if to cast a renewed irradiation on the 
Scriptural religion of the heart. 

Herbert, Taylor, and Ken, had each of them emitted 



1830-Jg-e79. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



321 



some bright rays, and are therefore on this account inesti- 
mable. But it was reserved for John Wesley to make the 
inward spirit and power of Christianity his ruling theme, 
and to reject, without reserve, all those clogs and fetters by 
which, through the permission of Heaven for profound pur- 
poses, their loveliness had been marred, and their energies 
impeded. 

I need not tell you that I did not subscribe to several of 
Mr. Wesley's positions ; but I shall not trouble you with 
my exceptions : whatever they are they have not lessened 
my value for his services in the cause of pure and unde- 
filed religion. In maintaining that which mature Christian 
piety ever confers, (when not physically disturbed,) a 
cloudless " sunshine of the breast," and that not only is 
the work " of righteousness, peace," but the " effect of 
righteousness, quietness, and assurance for ever ;" he mere- 
ly, in my mind, gave a true view of the " everlasting gos- 
pel ;" and to have had, through his means, an opportunity 
of duly appreciating this doctrine, I consider among the 
very greatest blessings of my life. 

Adieu, my dear Mr. Moore : I have perhaps troubled you 
with too long a letter, but I could not refrain from writing 
to you, and I persuade myself you will forgive, and pray to 
God for, 

Your grateful and sincere friend, 

Alexander Knox. 
To the Rev. Henry Moore, Woolwich, Kent. 

P. S. I cannot help wishing that you should acknow- 
ledge the receipt of this letter, and when you write do not 
wait to get a frank, as I shall be willing to pay postage, 
though I have endeavored to save you charges. 

Mr. Moore wrote an answer to his greatly-respected 
friend, but he either omitted taking a copy of the letter, or 
it is lost with many others in his frequent removals. 
14* 



322 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1832-Age 81. 



At the conference of the year 1831 Mr. Moore was 
appointed to the Deptford circuit, where the ministerial 
labor was light, suitable to his age, (fourscore years,) and 
every way agreeable to him, from its proximity to his 
London friends ; and affording easy access to that centre 
of religious and charitable action, which London affords to 
all whose hearts and habits are in unison with her thou- 
sand spiritual and benevolent charities. 

The people too among whom he went were kind and 
attentive to him, and he went in and out among them with 
comfort to his own mind, and with advantage to the flock 
over whom he was appointed overseer. 

In the month of August, of the following year, it pleased 
Almighty God suddenly to remove, by death, the late Dr. 
Adam Clarke from a scene of care and labor to the eter- 
nal beatitudes of the saints in light. 

Mr. Moore sincerely lamented this providential dispen- 
sation, for though on a few points they had entertained dif- 
ferent views, yet it had not destroyed a brotherhood of 
feeling ; and for many years, even these shades of differ- 
ence had been dissipated by frequent social intercourse, 
and remembrances of earlier life. 

The numerous friends and admirers of Dr. Adam Clarke 
earnestly desired, that a funeral sermon should be preached 
on this melancholy occasion, at the City Road chapel ; but 
owing to his oft-expressed objection to funeral sermons in 
general, his family opposed the suggestion, and urged Dr. 
Clarke's feelings on this subject as the ground of their 
declining this proposed mark of respect. 

At length, however, the wishes of his friends prevailed, 
and when Mrs. Clarke found that she must yield this point, 
she observed, " If it be judged best to have such a sermon, 
I submit ; but if it thus must be, Mr. Moore is the only 
colleague Dr. Clarke has remaining in active duty, and 
should he feel willing to undertake the task, I shall be 



1832-^e81. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



323 



satisfied." Mr. Moore at once assented, and preached the 
funeral sermon at the City Road chapel to a crowded au- 
dience ; the sermon was afterward printed and exten- 
sively circulated, and was also inserted in the Wesley an 
Methodist Magazine for the month of October ; and which, 
together with many others, preached in most of the Wesleyan 
chapels in London, and also through many of the counties 
of England, and in Ireland, on the same mournful occasion, 
not only evinced the considerable pulpit talents of their 
respective authors, but proved that Dr. Adam Clarke quit- 
ted life with the sincere and deep regret of his brethren, 
and the love of the Wesleyan body at large. 

In the October of the same year Mr. Moore was attacked 
by an illness of the most serious character. Though now 
at an advanced age, (in his eighty-second year,) Mr. Moore 
still accustomed himself to rise early; but one morning, on 
Mrs. Moore finding her husband asleep at six o'clock, she 
rose, shortly after which he awoke, and on vainly attempting 
to arise he exclaimed, " What is this, my dear ?" In haste 
and alarm Mrs. Moore went to the bed-side, and found her 
husband had entirely lost the use of the whole of his right 
side, from a paralytic stroke. To Mrs. Moore's anxious 
inquiries he replied, "All is gone except my faith ;" and, 
like an anchor of the soul, it fully stayed his spirit during 
the whole of his affliction, which for a month continued so 
severe as to cause the most serious apprehension of his 
friends, who flocked to his sick chamber in the kindest 
sympathy ; when, to the surprise of all, bis bodily powers 
began to recover; those of his mind having remained un- 
impaired throughout his illness. 

To this severe indisposition the subjoined letter refers, 
written in that kindly tone of friendship which so long 
distinguished the intimacy of Mr. Moore and the Rev. 
Jacob Stanley : — 



324 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1833-Age82. 



Bath, November 2, 1832. 
My Very Dear and Venerable Friend and Father, — 
This day I received the painful tidings of your sad affliction ; 
and were not the distance so great, and my engagements 
so binding, you would soon see me at Deptford, to minister 
in any way I could to your comfort, and to be edified by 
you in affliction, as I have often been in health. 

You have not followed a cunningly-devised fable ; this 
you know, and in this you rejoice : and He whom you 
have served, and whose minister you have been for more 
than half a century, will never leave you, nor forsake you. 

You have eaten the grapes of Eshcol; and the time is 
not long when you will be in the full and undisturbed 
possession of the incorruptible inheritance. What heaven, 
considered as a place, is, I know not : but to many of its 
inhabitants you will be no stranger; the venerable Wesleys, 
and many of your brethren ; the friends and companions 
of your youth ; and the numerous seals of your ministry, 
— will all greet you welcome to the skies : and, above all, 
that Christ, whom not having seen you have loved so long, 
shall receive you to himself, that where he is " there you 
may be also." 

But though death to you would be gain, I would fain 
hope that the Lord would yet spare you a little longer, to 
be useful in his church. 

Praying the choicest of Heaven's blessings may be your 
portion, I remain, 

Your affectionate brother and friend, 

Jacob Stanley. 

In the month of June, 1833, Mr. and Mrs. Moore were 
in imminent danger of losing their lives, by a fire which 
broke out during the night in the adjoining house, which 
was like their own, an extremely old one. The fire com- 
menced internally, and had gained much upon both houses 



1833-Age 82. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



325 



before it was discovered from without, and the alarm given. 
After much difficulty, the slumbering pair were aroused to 
a knowledge of their danger ; and, when made sensible 
of it, both evinced the greatest presence of mind, directing 
their friends, who ran to their assistance, to secure their 
papers, books, and many valuables ; but some were un- 
happily lost, or so injured by the fire as to render them 
useless. 

Mr. and Mrs. Moore took shelter in a poor woman's 
house near the spot ; and were afterward received most 
hospitably into the family of the son of one of the stewards 
of the Deptford society, where they remained till a house 
could be procured to suit them. 

Though Mr. Moore had, in a great measure, recovered 
the general tone of his health, so as to resume his minis- 
terial duties, yet he felt it his duty at the ensuing con- 
ference to intimate his desire to retire from the active duties 
of the itinerancy, and to locate himself during his remaining 
days as a supernumerary preacher. 

This intimation induced Mr. Moore's Bristol friends to 
renew their kind entreaties to him to settle among them. 
On the other hand, his London friends pleaded the service 
he mightrender to the interests of the Wesleyan Methodists, 
by the exercise of his knowledge and experience, (which 
would be more prompt, and consequently efficient,) by his 
being located in London, the head-quarters of the connection. 

Urged by such considerations, Mr. Moore acquiesced, 
and accordingly furnished a house of his own in Brunswick 
Place, situated very near the City Road chapel, to which 
he removed in the month of September, 1833. 

The following letter from Mrs. Hill, the wife of a clergy- 
man in Liverpool, and sister of the second wife of the 
Rev. Dr. Coke, addressed by that lady to her friend, Mrs. 
Moore, will evince the kindly interest excited, as well as 
the spiritual benefit which Mr. Moore had effected, during 



326 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1834-^c83. 



his residence in Liverpool. Mrs. Hill was a lady of great 
good sense and piety, whose praise is still in the churches. 
The letter is as follows : — 

Livekpool, 13th February, 1834. 
Long have I purposed to myself the pleasure of writing 
to you, my dear friend and sister, a letter of inquiry after 
your health, and that of my greatly-valued and venerable 
friend, Mr. Moore, for whom I must ever preserve the 
most grateful remembrance and esteem, not only on account 
of his piety and real worth, but because of the singular 
benefit I derived from his ministry when I first settled in 
Liverpool, and was drawn by the blessed Spirit of God to 
join the Methodist society. His luminous exposition of 
the Scriptures on the Sunday mornings, and his powerful 
sermons, were a means of instructing and leading me into 
an experience of the deep things of God, which I had 
previously to this very little conception of. But the effect 
has been lasting ; and I have this day a sweet enjoyment 
of that love which casts out fear, and that blessed hope 
which purifies the heart, and fills my soul with peace and 
joy in believing, so that I look forward with pleasing 
anticipation to that glorious period when, with all the 
ransomed, and especially those more particularly dear to 
me, I shall worship before the throne. This hope animates 
me under the many infirmities of declining age ; and I 
often exult in the prospect of reunion with my beloved 
partner, ere long, in the mansions of ever-during felicity. 
In the mean time I see it my calling to abide in the path 
of duty, and daily to consecrate myself to His service, 

" If so poor a worm as I, 
May to his great glory live ;" 

and it is my one desire and aim to sink deeper in true 
humiliation of spirit before him, that I may rise higher in 
love and divine conformity to his will. 



1834-Age 83. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



327 



I have heard with pleasure of dear Mr. Moore's restora- 
tion to a measure of health, and that he has again been 
laboring in the work of the Lord. I have no doubt but 
many souls will be given to his ministry, that will increase 
and brighten his crown of rejoicing in the great day of the 
Lord. May strength be given him also, so that he may 
lay down his charge only when he lays down his body ; 
and cease at once to work and live. O what a happy 
meeting shall we have on the eternal shore, where shep- 
herds and their flocks are together safe before the throne, 
joining in one triumphant chorus of praise "to Him who 
hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own 
blood, and made us kings and priests unto God." Then, 
indeed, shall we ofTer spiritual sacrifices, free-will offer- 
ings, with a holy worship. In hope of that happy period, 
well may we be satisfied to toil and labor on, and endure all 
the trials to which our frail humanity is subject, for we 
know we are only traveling to a better country, — - 

" Strangers and pilgrims here below, 
This earth we know is not our place." 

My heart is graciously and powerfully drawn heaven- 
ward. I feel increasing deadness to earthly things ; for my 
treasure is laid up above. 

I have been much confined to the house this winter; but 
through mercy have been able to meet my classes, (as 
they meet in the house,) except only three or four times, 
for which I am very thankful, as it is the joy of my heart 
to meet my dear sisters at the appointed times ; and we 
are greatly blessed together, for the Lord does not forget 
to be gracious. 

There is a good work going on in both the circuits ; 
we are very happy in our preachers ; and there is great 
peace among the people. Mr. M'NicoPs preaching is 
particularly solemn and weighty, and so is Mr. Hannah's ; 



328 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1834-ilge 83. 



but I have heard him only a few times, as he is in the 
other circuit, where I can seldom go, or I am sure his 
ministry would be very useful to me. Poor John Russel* 
is become very feeble, and not able to meet any of his 
classes. He lives now at Everton, with his son, who is 
married to a respectable young lady, in society; and I 
hear she behaves very kindly and respectfully to John; 
his son also is dutiful and affectionate to him ; so I hope 
that under all his infirmities and privations he is as com- 
fortable as such circumstances will admit of. He always 
seems very happy ; and, I believe, enjoys uninterrupted 
fellowship with the glorious Trinity. If he knew that I 
was writing to you, I am sure he would wish to be most 
respectfully remembered to yourself and Mr. Moore. 

I hope my dear Mrs. Moore will favor me with a letter 
soon ; it will be a great gratification to me to hear a good 
account of you both. Please to present my most affectionate 
regards to Mr. Moore ; and believe me ever, my dear friend, 
Yours sincerely, 

Sarah Hill. 

To Mrs. Moore. 

The wisest of men has written, " Man is born to trouble 
as the sparks fly upward;" and every man's experience 
proves the truth of the assertion. Afflictions differ in their 
nature, extent, and complexion ; and so do the minds and 
feelings which are subjected to their influence ; but each 
mind has to bear its own individual wo ; which, though 
so diversified, is yet its sure portion. 

The conference of the year 1834 held its sittings in 
London. During the first few days of its assembling, Mr. 
Moore was diligent in his attendance ; but, alas, over his 
dwelling "the angel of affliction rose." Mrs. Moore's 
health, which had for some time been gradually failing, now 

* A man of deep piety; but perfect!} 7 blind. 



83. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



329 



became seriously so much worse, that her husband re- 
linquished his attendance on conference to minister to his 
wife. 

Her earthly pilgrimage was drawing rapidly to a close ; 
but it was accompanied by an increased measure of con- 
fidence in God her Saviour : to this Saviour her spirit 
ascended in perfect calmness and peace, entering upon her 
heavenly inheritance August 18th, 1834. And thus again 
was this now venerable man called to pass through those 
waters of affliction, of the bitterness of which none can 
judge but those only who have abode the trial. 

Previously to Mrs. Moore's death she had generally 
accompanied her husband in his frequent visits to their 
friends, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Smith, of Stoke New- 
ington ; where they met Mrs. Clarke, the widow of the 
late Dr. Adam Clarke, and at such times these aged dis- 
ciples of one common Lord would, in interesting and free 
converse, talk of the way in which they had been led by 
the good Providence of God, through all the varied scenes 
of their lives. 

After the death of Mrs. Moore, this occasional social 
intercourse was exchanged for an habitual visit once a 
week, which afforded to each party the most gratifying 
reminiscences. 

On all essential points these friends thought alike, and 
from a thorough acquaintance with early Methodism, their 
sentiments, relative to its nature and discipline, coincided ; 
and hence they talked, as well as thought, without the 
restraint of any party difference. 

It was at the conference of 1834 that the seed of that 
unhappy division was sown, which, for a considerable time, 
convulsed Wesleyan Methodism ; the ostensible origin of 
which was, the proposal to establish among themselves a 
" Theological Institution," for the better qualifying young 
men for their ministers. 



330 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1834- Age 83. 



From the very first proposition of this measure, Mr. 
Moore objected to it, observing, " Hitherto the Lord has 
supplied us with the men we need at the time we needed 
them, and who have, from the first, gone in and out with 
profit and success among the people. 

" After God had greatly owned the preaching of the 
Reverends John and Charles Wesley, so that great numbers 
were obedient to the faith, they were anxious for the con- 
tinuance of that plain and heart-felt preaching of the gospel 
which they had felt to be the power of God to the conver- 
sion of their souls. 

" Then arose to Mr. Wesley's mind the important 
question, — who shall guide these new-born spirits by 
ministerial instrumentality, through the trials and diffi- 
culties of their religious course, imto that rest which 
remaineth for the people of God ? 

" For some time the man of God was embarrassed, till 
he saw that it was ' not by might, nor by power, but by my 
Spirit, saith the Lord,' that the good work could be carried 
on, — for that He who raised up the people, could, from 
among themselves, qualify and raise up teachers who 
should go before, as well as point out to their flock the 
way to life eternal." 

Mr. Moore continued, " We have had a work of God, 
and a confidence in it, which, therefore, nothing could 
shake. I heard Mr. Wesley preach upon the need of 
such preachers as God had raised up for him, and which, 
he believed, God had especially given him in order to 
raise up such a people, from ' And he gave some, apostles; 
and some, prophets ; and some, evangelists ; and some, 
pastors and teachers ; for the perfecting of the saints, for 
the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of 
Christ : till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of 
the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, 
unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.' 



1834-Age 83. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



331 



Eph. iv, 11-13. The one, as Mr. Wesley observed, must 
answer to the other. 

" The first sermon was preached before the conference, 
and during its delivery you saw the man of God treating 
of the work of God with which he had been so remarkably 
intrusted. 

" He described in his sermon those apostolic men known 
by their fruit, and their success, not as belonging to this 
or to that party, but to God. Those wise prophets, who 
had a comprehensive view of those things which are to 
'edification, and exhortation, and comfort:' those evan- 
gelists who mightily enforced the power of saving faith 
upon perishing sinners — and those pastors and teachers, 
who build them up in their most holy faith. 

" Then did Mr. Wesley speak," added Mr. Moore, " of 
those greatly-good men, whom the Lord had raised up to 
help him, and who, by their simple ministry, accompanied 
as it was by the power of God, shook terribly this nation 
by the exercise of their varied gifts. 

" The second sermon Mr. Wesley preached upon this 
subject, was upon The People, from ' And not holding the 
head, from which all the body by joints and bands having 
nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with 
the increase of God.' Coloss. ii, 19. Such a church, said 
Mr. Wesley, may in truth be called the mystical body of 
Christ, while the fellowship is increased and continued by 

' The different gifts on each bestow'd, 
Temper'd by the art of God.' 

" Only such men, thus gifted of God for the purpose, 
could have raised up such a people as were then raised 
up, and whose fame still continues in the churches. 

" The people to whom this simple preaching of the 
faith as it is in Jesus was made spirit and life were pre- 
viously dead in trespasses and sins : some among them 



332 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



l834-4ge 83. 



had been profane profligates of the worst description, but 
who, by the saving power of God accompanying this simple 
preaching of repentance, justification, and sanctification, 
through faith in Jesus, were created anew unto good works, 
to the astonishment of all — and beyond the power of all 
human calculation. 

" Such," said Mr. Moore, " was the effect of the apos- 
tolic preaching, and of all who have everywhere followed 
in the same track. 

" And what shall we say to these things ? Shall we 
refine upon the plan, and not trust God to raise up of us 
men thus qualified to bear on our ark as formerly? im- 
ploring the great Head of the church to bestow upon them 

' The spirit of convincing speech, 
The power demonstrative impart ; 
Such as may every conscience reach, 
And sound the unbelieving heart.' 

Such men were nobly independent for their God, while 
they also had the feelings of ' man who is a worm, and 
the son of man who is a worm.' 

" The church of God," continued Mr. Moore, " is, if 
rightly formed, the work of God, and the ministers of the 
sanctuary are the most honorable part of it — made so by 
God himself, and that not merely by a calling like that 
which the people have to be holy and harmless, — but to 
the office of the ministry ; for when ' He ascended up on 
high, and gave gifts unto men, he gave some, apostles; 
some, prophets ; some, evangelists ; some, pastors and 
teachers ; for the edifying of the church, and for the work 
of the ministry.' 

" Names alter, not things : if there be no such calling in 
our day, then there is no such people ; but if, indeed, there 
be apostolic men, and evangelists, and pastors, and teachers, 
why then we may believe that the people are holy too, as 



1834-^e 83. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



333 



well as their ministers : and if so 5 the people will never 
usurp an authority over those whom God has called them 
to honor, and to esteem very highly for their works' sake ; 
neither, on the other hand, will the ministers ever treat 
the people otherwise than as brethren beloved, their glory 
and their joy before the Lord at his appearing. 

" We may refine, but we cannot by altering improve 
upon, our old plan of calling our young men out, and sepa- 
rating them immediately to the work, where, by mixing in 
its active duties, and the religious experiences they will 
meet with, they will, as formerly, learn well and learn 
quickly, while their zeal will not be quenched for want of 
sufficient exercise, nor their diversified gifts cramped by 
necessary imitation : the end of preaching, not the art 
of preaching, was what Mr. Wesley sought, and thus 
found." 

Mr. Moore thus firmly bore his testimony to what he 
conceived to be right : while he forcibly argued against 
what he believed an injurious alteration in the plan of 
bringing out the young men into the Methodist ministry; 
but he would not injure his own spirit by plunging it into 
any waters of strife, but hoped and prayed for that peace 
which is the bond of perfectness ; preferring, on all social 
occasions, that his conversation should chiefly refer to 
subjects connected with that heaven to which his spirit 
tended, or to the progress of the work of God in the world, 
which ever excited his liveliest interest. 

One day on his visiting Stoke Newington, on entering 
the room where Mrs. Adam Clarke was sitting, on that 
lady asking Mr. Moore how he was, he replied, " I am 
tolerably well — not quite well, I shall never be so here," 
then closing his hands together and looking up, he con- 
tinued, " I shall be better by and by ; but this with all 
humility I can say, that I am enabled every moment to 
cry, Abba, Father : my first thought in the morning, my 



334 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1835-Age 84. 



whole experience during the day, and my last feeling at 
night, is still Abba, Father : I know that I can fully claim 
him as my Father : so, before the fall, could our first 
parents ; but after they had eaten of the forbidden fruit, 
they hid themselves among the trees of the garden — and 
why ? because they had lost the experimental feeling of 
Abba, Father ; and there among those trees, had human 
life been so extended, would they have remained till now, 
had it not been for the blessed promise, ' The seed of the 
woman shall bruise the serpent's head.' 0, when I think 
that, for the atonement of my sins, ' God was manifested 
in the flesh,' that he suffered death, assuming our nature 
for this very purpose, stamping his death and sufferings 
with divine efficacy, I am confounded, I am lost in the 
contemplation of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and of the 
abundant mercy of Him who has thus willed our salvation, 
and who, in the sole form of prayer given us by himself, 
makes the very first expression repeat the sentiment of his 
infinite love, ' Our Eather V To feel this is the Christian's 
privilege : this sense of holy filiation man had lost, by the 
fall, and this Christ came into the world in order to restore 
to him ; it is ' Christ in us the hope of glory !' " 

Mr. Moore was very sincere and very cordial in his 
friendships, and when age would fully have excused him 
from visiting the chamber of affliction, he still held his 
friends so near his heart, that no weather prevented that 
venerable man from his personal attendance on the sorrows 
of his friends : nor did his sympathy rest there : in the 
strong feelings of his pious heart he carried them home 
with him, and in prayerful intercession spread them before 
the throne of the heavenly grace. 

Still, however, no personal esteem or respect for indi- 
viduals induced him to shrink from a firm maintenance 
of what he judged to be right and proper — but he opposed 
from principle, and not from pique. The following anec- 



84. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



335 



dote, which Mr. Moore related respecting Mr. Wesley and 
himself, is highly characteristic of both parties. 

In the year 1789, when Mr. Moore was superintendent 
of the London circuit, one of the leading men had, by some 
improper conduct, given offense to his religious profession. 
Though not a member of the Methodist society, this 
gentleman had been in the habit of receiving the holy 
sacrament from the hands of Mr. Wesley and his brother 
clergymen. 

Mr. Moore having waited upon this gentleman for an 
explanation of his conduct, and not being satisfied with it, 
told him he should be obliged to refuse him a note of 
admission to the holy communion. 

The gentleman succeeded in making out a better case 
for himself to one of the officiating clergymen, and got him 
to promise to apply to Mr. Wesley when he came to town 
for such a note, in order to silence all scruples for the 
future upon the subject. After Mr. Wesley had preached 
at the new chapel, he went as usual into the vestry, and 
Mr. Moore having shortly followed, saw him writing the 
requested note, and about to hand it to the clergyman, 
when Mr. Moore addressing Mr. Wesley, said, " Sir, do 
you mean to give a note of admission to the holy sacra- 
ment to Mr. ?" Mr. Wesley replied, " Yes, Henry, 

I have reason to believe the report of his conduct is a 
mistake." " I have fully examined into it, sir," rejoined 
Mr. Moore, " and I find it is no mistake, and if you give 
him a note, I shall not take the holy sacrament myself." 
Mr. Wesley looked earnestly at Mr. Moore, and replied, 
" I would take the holy sacrament if the devil himself were 
there." " And so," rejoined Mr. Moore, " would I, sir, 
but not if you gave him a note of admission." Mr. Wes- 
ley immediately put the note into the fire, and returned 
into the chapel. 

On its being one day inquired of Mr. Moore, " What is 



836 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1B2G-Age 85, 



your opinion, sir, relative to the differences which at pre- 
sent prevail in the Christian church ; do you not think they 
must affect the best interests of true religion ?" 

" For a time," he replied, " they may do so, but they have 
also produced a spirit of general inquiry which can now 
never be put down ; and which pervades not only all ranks of 
the community, but all subjects also, in which mankind are 
now interested. Science has been laid open to the man 
of genius ; industry has been taxed by invention ; and 
gospel truth has been more thoroughly investigated : creed 
does not so much cramp as it did, and truth, and the light 
of truth, are spreading on the right hand and on the left : 
and this is a most important point, for i inquiry is the hand- 
maid of truth :' few are disposed to look at her in her own 
light, they must have a medium ; some take one kind, some 
another, but when obliged by investigation to view her 
more in her own light, passion and prejudice must in a 
great measure be first laid aside." " Are you aware," 
added Mr. Moore, " of the nature of the differences which 
exist among the Society of Friends ?" 

" Not altogether," it was replied : " but I have under- 
stood that the old Friends have been accustomed to look 
chiefly to ' Christ in them the hope of glory ;' without so 
much as remembering — that in the first place He must be 
their atonement for guilt, before he can be their sanctifier 
from sin, by the Spirit of God shed abroad in their hearts." 

" Yes," rejoined Mr. Moore, " Christ must first have 
died for us, and we must come to him from a deep and 
painful sense of our transgressions, before he will send the 
Holy Spirit into our hearts : hence he is called the Com- 
forter ; but it was after Jesus had offered himself up as an 
atonement for the sins of the world, that, the Holy Com- 
forter was given, and he came to convince the world of sin, 
and then to take of the things of Christ, and to show them 
unto us by his light and his sanctifying power : indeed 



IBM-Age 85. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



337 



our Lord himself says, ' That it was needful that he should 
go away, in order that the Holy Spirit might come to them 
as a comforter.' " " I wish," added Mr. Moore, " that the 
Friends would strive for the administration of the holy sa- 
craments among themselves. One of their society in 
Bristol used to argue with me much on this point, and 
when I insisted on the Scriptural necessity of the sacra- 
ments, as binding upon all Christian churches, from our 
Lord's express command, ' Do this in remembrance of 
me ;' he would reply, ' If I have the life of God, I have the 
blood, for the blood is the life.' ' What a pity,' I replied, 
1 that our Lord did not tell us so, nor his apostles after 
him ; it would have saved much painful discussion — 
whereas our Lord enjoins the ordinance, — " As often as ye 
eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show forth the 
Lord's death till he come ;" and the continued observance 
of this sacred rite is one standing proof, among many, of 
the divine authenticity of the Holy Scriptures, and of the 
truth of the doctrine of the atonement.' " 

On some remarks being once made to Mr. Moore relative 
to his Life of Mrs. Fletcher, a train of thought appeared 
suddenly to occupy his mind, which shortly found utterance 
in the following narration. 

On the sabbath forenoon previously to the assembling of 
the conference at Leeds, in the year 1784, Mr. Wesley 
preached in the only chapel then in the town, at ten o'clock, 
giving as a reason for thus preaching in church hours — ■ 
" No church could hold the preachers and people assem- 
bled on that occasion." Mr. Moore, having just been 
summoned to England to attend this conference, went to 
hear Mr. Wesley, who, after preaching, gave out, that Mr. 
Fletcher would preach at seven o'clock on the Sunday 
morning, and Mr. Moore at five on the Monday morning. 
Mr. Moore was amazed and distressed at this announce- 
ment ; but he went to hear the venerable Mr. Fletcher on 

15 



338 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



the Sunday morning. " He ascended the pulpit," added 
Mr. Moore, " and his person had the most majestic ap- 
pearance, but withal he had so heaven-beaming a counte- 
nance as to enkindle love, while it called forth the 
admiration of the beholder. The whole conference were 
present upon the occasion ; and after singing and prayer, 
Mr. Fletcher took for the subject of his discourse the first 
lesson for the day, which was the disobedient prophet. 
' It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word 
of the Lord : therefore the Lord hath delivered him unto 
the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to 
the word of the Lord, which he spake unto him.' 1 Kings 
xiii, 26. Then looking earnestly down upon the people, 
with extreme energy, and as if the whole scene were 
present before him, Mr. Fletcher repeated, — ' It is the man 
of God who was disobedient to the word of the Lord !' 

" ' Behold, my brethren, this man who, while he was 
obedient to the command of God, was triumphant over every 
opposition, but who, upon becoming disobedient, was de- 
livered by him to the destruction of the lion.' Mr. Fletcher 
proceeded to give an account of Jeroboam, ' of whom,' 
continued Mr. Fletcher, ' it is repeatedly stated in several 
passages of Scripture, that he taught Israel to sin, — for 
him the Lord in his providence had wrested the ten tribes 
of Israel from Rehoboam, though he had been the chief 
man in the revolt : but notwithstanding this, God's inter- 
ference on his behalf, he could not trust God, but when the 
people ought to have gone up to Jerusalem, which was the 
only place in which they were allowed to worship with 
sacrifice, he feared to trust them, lest they should revolt 
from his government ; and to provide against which, he 
devised a worship to keep them from going up thither, and 
set up a false worship in this subtil manner at Beth-el : 
and none of the people were found to oppose his will. 
But God never wants agents for the performance of his 



1836-^e85. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



339 



purpose, for there came a man of God from Judah. But, 
though sent by God himself, "the man of God" knew how- 
to respect the kingly office, and treated it with all defer- 
ence ; for, addressing the altar, instead of the king, he 
cried, " 0, altar, altar, thus saith the Lord, &c." The king, 
feeling himself thus openly opposed, and seeing his au- 
thority at stake, put forth his hand and cried out, " Lay 
hold on him." What,' exclaimed Mr. Fletcher, ' lay hold 
on a man of God, without God's leave ? That could not 
be ; therefore the hand which was put forth against him 
dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him. 
" The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from 
the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had 
given by the word of the Lord." 

" ' The king was humbled and abased before the man of 
God ; and as the loss of his hand would have been a per- 
petual monument of his shame, he prayed the man of God 
that he would " entreat now the face of the Lord thy God, 
and pray for me that my hand may be restored again." 

" ' How high, how holy a character then did a prophet 
of the Lord sustain ! while he remained obedient to the 
heavenly voice, it was strong in the might of Him who 
gave the word ; so strong, that even the arm of the highest 
temporal power, when raised against the commission borne 
by the servant of the Lord, was withered in the attempt to 
arrest the divine message, against the altars, and the priests 
of the idols !' 

" Again, in the most striking terms Mr. Fletcher showed, 
that ' any disobedience to the heavenly mandate rendered 
even a prophet of the Lord powerless, and not only like 
unto other men in this respect, but he was visited with 
especial punishments, for not being obedient to especial 
advantages ; deducing from the whole subject the strongest 
reasonings why the servants of the Most High should be 
valiant for the truth, and not through any temptation, how- 



340 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1836-Age 85. 



ever specious, or for any cause, turn aside from following 
the full command of the Lord, which is their path of duty ; 
for until their heavenly commission is perfectly fulfilled, 
they may both walk and prophesy in safety, claiming for 
their support the arm of Omnipotence, and as their defense 
— the shield of Jehovah.' 

" I was extremely pleased and impressed," added Mr. 
Moore, " with the whole service : the shadow of the divine 
presence was seen among us, and His going forth was in 
our sanctuary. At the conclusion of the service, Mr. 
Fletcher again gave out for my preaching on the following 
morning. On returning to my lodgings, I was much dis- 
tressed and perplexed in my mind on this account, well 
knowing that all the preachers would be present at the 
early preaching ; the fear and the dread of this kept sleep 
from my eyes, and slumber from my eyelids ; added to 
which I felt myself a stranger in a strange land, and in one 
too in which I had never before spoken publicly : but as the 
appointment was made by Mr. Wesley, I dared offer no 
objection to the arrangement. 

"In much mental bondage, I went on the Monday 
morning to the chapel at the hour appointed, when, to my 
dismay, who should be in the pulpit, with his hand leaning 
upon his staff, but the venerable Mr. Fletcher himself. At 
sight of this," continued Mr. Moore, " my first impression 
was to run away altogether : a moment's reflection changed 
my purpose into a feeling of submission to my appointed 
duty, accompanied by an indescribable fear of performing 
it. I ascended the pulpit and gave out the hymn ; while 
I did so my knees smote one against the other : I knelt 
down to pray, and indeed lifted my heart with my voice, 
that I might be endued with power and wisdom from on 
high: my soul was calmed with the holy exercise, and 
when I arose from my knees, the bondage of my spirit was 
broken ; I took my text, and continued the service, fully 



1836-Age 85. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



341 



set free from that fear which hath torment, — and strength- 
ened in my resolution ever to obey the voice of duty, and 
to put my whole trust and reliance on Him who hath said, 
* To obey is better than sacrifice.' " 

The preceding history of some of the details of the life 
of Mr. Moore will have furnished ample testimony to the 
firmness of his character, and of his high sense of duty, 
despite the fear or favor of man ; and of his courage to 
maintain a right in its own strength, in opposition to such 
even of his friends as would waver in the maintenance of 
it themselves. 

The following narrative furnishes another, among many 
proofs which might still be adduced, to support this point 
of his character. 

While Mr. Moore was stationed as superintendent of the 
London west circuit, a chapel was much needed at that 
end of the town, in the room of the one occupied in Chan- 
dler-street, which was much too small to accommodate the 
people disposed to attend the Methodist preaching in that 
place, — but no ground could be found suitable for the pur- 
pose, though it had been sought long, and anxiously. At 
length, however, a spot of ground was discovered, which, 
upon measurement, proved to be just enough on which to 
build the chapel required. The official men applied for 
the purchase of it to the gentleman who was its proprietor. 
He made no objection to the object for which the ground 
was sought; the terms were agreed upon, and the two 
parties met in good faith, and both sides signed the agree- 
ment of the purchase of the land on a sheet of unstamped 
paper. 

In a few days after this event, application was made to 
the gentleman by the steward of the duke of Portland, for 
the purchase of that very piece of ground on which to 
erect a national school. The gentleman informed his 
lordship's steward of its having been thus previously dis- 



342 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1836- Age 85. 



posed of ; on which he expressed much regret, and the 
impossibility of obtaining another spot of ground suited to 
the object named, within the limits allowed for its erec- 
tion ; and put the whole matter in such a strong and 
favorable light for his own wishes, that the gentleman con- 
cluded with declaring his opinion that he could, and his 
intention to, annul the agreement with the late purchasers 
of the ground. 

In conformity with this determination, the late proprietor 
of the ground wrote a strong letter to the officiating men 
of Chandler-street chapel, saying " they must give up the 
ground, it being wanted for such and such purposes." 

In much consternation at this painful communication, a 
meeting was called to consider the letter, and the threats 
which accompanied it in case of resistance. 

As superintendent of the circuit, Mr. Moore was in the 
chair at this meeting ; and the gentleman's letter was pro- 
duced, and read aloud, and much conversation ensued in 
consequence of its contents : the whole transaction of the 
purchase of the land was considered in detail, its suitability 
for the intended use of it dwelt upon ; but, in opposition 
to these reasons for maintaining the right of purchase was 
the wish of his lordship's steward, and even the duke of 
Portland himself, for its relinquishment : this consideration, 
and the threatening and authoritative tone of the late pro- 
prietor's letter, and the dread of legal proceedings in case 
of resistance, intimidated all. Some present thought that 
as a religious people it was their duty to yield for peace' 
sake : others again talked of submitting to Providence : 
while some of them spoke of " the injury it might do to 
the duke's mind if they did not, as professing Christians, 
submit their will for the accommodation of others." 

After all present had expressed their opinion, Mr. 
Moore rose, and spoke to the following effect : — 

" Really, brethren, I cannot but feel surprised at the 



1836-Age 85. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



343 



views which you have taken relative to the subject before 
us. It is true that the gentleman threatens much if we 
do not give up the ground, and I grant that it is well to do 
much for peace' sake ; but even peace itself should never 
be purchased at the expense of justice. For years you 
have been looking about for just such a spot as the one 
now purchased, on which to build a chapel, the one you 
have being too small to hold the congregation who would 
come : you have added prayer to your labor in this matter ; 
and now, when by all fair means God in his providence 
has given you what you so earnestly desired and diligently 
sought, not for your own good merely, but for the glory of 
God, would you now throw back the good providence of 
God, and thus account yourselves unworthy of it ? 

" Besides : it is not your agreement to relinquish. When 
you took the ground, and signed the agreement, you did so 
in behalf of the Methodist people ; and to them you are 
responsible for every act you thus officially perform : you 
cannot, consequently, yourselves yield the right you have 
assumed in the land. The agreement itself is perfectly 
valid, being signed by both parties, and regularly witnessed ; 
and though it ought to have been done on a stamp, the 
penalty for that omission is easily paid, and the agreement 
may still be stamped. I will not consent to your relin- 
quishing the ground which God in his providence has put 
into your hands : we will abide the issue of the gentle- 
man's legal threat : write to him at once, and tell him so." 

The official men of Chandler-street followed the course 
marked out for them; and the business ultimately ended 
in the undisturbed building of the Hind-street Methodist 
chapel, Manchester-square. 



344 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1837-Age 86. 



BOOK VIII. 

FIRST BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE. — LONDON 
CONFERENCE. 

[1837—1842.] 

The Wesleyan Conference of the year 1837 was held 
in Birmingham, for the first time : when the Rev. Edmund 
Grindrod was chosen president, and the Rev. R. Newton 
secretary. At this conference, for the first time since the 
death of Mr. Wesley, the conference resolved to introduce 
the form of " the imposition of hands," in the ordaining or 
setting apart of its ministers for the full functions of their 
itinerant labors. 

This step could not but call forth Mr. Moore's views 
upon the subject ; and these we shall best learn from the 
contents of the subjoined letter, which he addressed to the 
president of the conference, during the sitting of its as- 
sembled ministers : — 

Brunswick-place, August, 1837. 
My Dear Brother, — Without any preface, which is 
needless between us, I will briefly state a few particulars 
which have occurred to me respecting our affairs. It 
seems that the conference have at length declared for 
"ordination:" but what provision have they made for it? 
I mean such ordination as will satisfy inquiring minds, and 
especially the people to whom the ordained are to admin- 
ister in holy things, who may inquire concerning the 
validity and authority of the right assumed : for this inquiry 
we should be prepared. You know Mr. Wesley made a 
distinction between the prophetic and the pastoral office : 
for the former he allowed the call of God was sufficient, 



1837-Age 86. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



345 



if fully proved : " If any man speak, let him speak as the 
oracles of God : if any man prophesy, let him prophesy 
according to the analogy of faith." 

The pastoral office is different : it implies a people that 
are to be administered unto. This call is human, but a 
sacred thing ; and men have a right to judge concerning it. 

The Scriptural way of ordination, by the imposition of 
hands, was allowed by the apostles ; and since their time 
has been allowed by the church in every age. Mr. Wesley 
allowed this ; and ordained, first, for America ; secondly, 
for Scotland; and thirdly, for England, "when the time 
should come." The time came long since ; but the con- 
ference would not allow it : now that they have allowed 
it, what provision have they made for it ? 

This question lies with weight upon my mind, as I am 
the only person now alive that Mr. Wesley committed that 
power to ; and I know that he committed it for the purpose 
that it should become a common thing whenever it should 
be judged by the conference best to adopt it. Have we 
renounced Mr. Wesley ? Is he no longer our father in the 
gospel ? I have been much importuned to ordain for those 
who have unhappily been separated from us in the present 
contentions ; but I have refused to do so, as I conceive 
that I possessed the power only for the Methodists. 

I say it is a very serious question with me to be un- 
faithful to God, to Mr. Wesley, and Methodism, (which is 
their work,) by thus suffering this ordination to die with 
me, and for I know not what reason. Wishing your opinion 
and advice, I remain, my dear brother, 

Yours respectfully and truly, 

Henry Moore. 

That the conference did not view the subject in the 
same light would appear by no reply being made to this 
communication, nor to a second on the same subject which 
15* 



346 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1837-Age 86. 



Mr. Moore afterward addressed, through its next president, 
to that body. 

Satisfied that he had discharged his high sense of duty, 
in offering his services, and laying what he deemed their 
authority and weight before his brethren, Mr. Moore 
silently yielded to their practical decision, and no more 
thus publicly registered his judgment ; and it is certain he 
was never invited to take part on any occasion of the 
annual ordinations of the Methodist ministry. 

True : Mr. Moore had retired from the itinerancy ; but 
he was still on the list of its superannuated preachers, and 
he had never, since his retirement through infirmity, en- 
gaged in any secular employment whatever: so that, in 
every sense, he was still God's minister ; but by reason 
of decay of strength from length of years he was unable 
to do the active duties of the itinerancy ; and hence, though 
he was still "God's servant," he was also "God's prisoner!" 

Mr. Moore now lived in much retirement, but frequently 
visited some of his old and endeared friends. With the 
family of his medical adviser, J. Hunter, Esq., of Islington, 
he often spent the day, cheerfully entering into the history 
of by-gone times, interspersed with anecdotes of men and 
events. Mr. Moore regularly spent one day in each week 
with the family of Mr. Richard Smith, of Stoke Newington, 
unless some providential circumstance prevented ; and his 
society and conversation were variedly delightful and 
profitable to the different members of the family. Mr. 
Moore was eminently the friend of children, and pleased 
himself in all their tokens of kind attention : he was not 
only patient with, but gratified by, their multifarious ques- 
tions. He often called them to his knee, and told them 
stories to interest their feelings ; and ever at parting put 
his hand upon their heads, and blessed them. 

On the other hand, the children returned the love 
bestowed ; and, when the weather permitted, accompanied 



1837-^e 86. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



347 



their venerated friend into the garden, cheerfully gathering 
for him fruit and flowers, and jumping about him in all the 
fondness of childish enjoyment. 

Their very gambols amused him; nor did he grow 
weary of their mental inquisitiveness, or officious kind- 
nesses. 

Lessons — religious, moral, and intellectual — acquired 
under such circumstances, are only effaced by death. 

For those of riper years he had ever a word of kind 
encouragement ; and during any season of domestic afflic- 
tion, his counsel and sympathy were ever those of a father. 
Before he took his departure he invariably assembled the 
family to commend them by prayer to God ; remembering 
thus before his divine footstool the afflicted, the sorrowful, 
or the absent, as the varied circumstances of the case 
justified, during the many years of these his weekly 
visitings. 

His conversation was cheerful, as well as instructive 
and entertaining ; possessing a peculiar terseness both of 
style and expression, suited to the circumstances of the 
case, and to the society in which he was placed. 

It is much to be regretted that more of his fund of 
anecdotes had not been committed to writing, as well as 
many of his strong sayings ; but the tone, the manner, and 
the aptness of them to the passing moment, while they 
each made them additionally striking, render it extremely 
difficult to give their piquancy on paper. 

Speaking one day respecting the late celebrated countess 
of Huntingdon, Mr. Moore observed, " Mr. Wesley, shortly 
before his death, gave me this account respecting her 
ladyship's only son. His lordship, who had a great per- 
sonal respect for Mr. Wesley, as they were sitting alone 
together one day, observed, 1 I should wish, sir, to have 
some conversation with you on the subject of religion ; the 
lady my mother is too importunate with me on these mat- 



348 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1837-4#e86. 



ters.' Mr. Wesley assented, replying, ' What point would 
your lordship choose for discussion V ' The difficulties 
of revelation,' it was subjoined. Mr. Wesley continued, 
' My lord, had we not better begin with the difficulties of 
what is termed natural religion V The earl replied, ' Sir, 
you surprise me ; I thought there were no difficulties in 
natural religion.' Mr. Wesley answered, \ My lord, there 
are difficulties ; and such as I doubt neither you nor I can 
answer. What does your lordship think of the first point 
in all religion, the worship of an eternal God ? What idea 
has your lordship of a Being without beginning and with- 
out end V His lordship was silent for some time, and then 
expressed himself as t utterly lost in the idea of such an 
existence.' 4 And yet,' observed Mr. Wesley, * you must 
believe it ; can your lordship get on one step without be- 
lieving it V The reply was, 1 1 cannot.' ' Well, then,' added 
Mr. Wesley, ' my lord, in all religion we must take the 
very first point for granted, and that, too, with the highest 
reason ; and yet we can form no conception of it : the idea 
of an eternal Being is too vast for finite intelligence : let 
us, then, converse a little respecting the evidences of re- 
ligion.' Mr. Wesley being fully master of this subject, 
the conversation was long, interesting, and satisfactory. 
His lordship made this objection, ' How can I be certain 
that this record, while I cannot deny any part of it, was 
ever realized by any man V ' The same record, my lord, 
which assures you of the facts, gives the clearest account 
of those who testify to the facts ; and, in such a manner as, 
admitting one, doubt is shut out from the other ; and I 
could bring you a hundred witnesses, out of the booh, who 
can now, any day, assure you of the same facts.' ' O,' 
replied his lordship, ' my mother tells me enough of these, 
that would bring me to personal experience, which as yet 
I cannot receive.' 

" And so the conversation ended ; but, observed Mr. 



1837-^e86. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



349 



Wesley, ' I have a good hope in reference to the earl ; 
believing that for some time before his death, his lordship 
was a changed man.' " 

The earl of Huntingdon died in the prime of youthful 
vigor, in a fit of apoplexy, while sitting at table with a party 
of friends : he died single, and for a time the title was 
believed to be extinct, but happily an heir has since been 
discovered. 

With many of his brethren in the ministry Mr. Moore 
lived on terms of intimacy and affection ; some of whom 
would have had a place in this memoir, had the venerable 
man himself written the continuation to his life. Only 
those whose correspondence with him has been preserved 
can now be noticed, among whom is the Rev. Peter 
M'Owan. In the spring of the year 1836 this gentleman 
was laid aside by affliction, which for a time threatened 
serious consequences : but early in the summer of the year 
1837 his health was so far restored as to enable him to 
perform his ministerial duties ; and he has since been 
permitted to discharge the sacred offices of the ministry 
with little bodily interruption. To this state of health he 
refers in the following letter addressed to Mr. Moore, from 
the circuit in which he had a few weeks previously com- 
menced to labor. 

The letter is dated as follows : — 

Colchester, September 27, 1837. 

Very Dear Sir, — I have often been reminded by Mrs. 
M'Owan of the condition on which you promised to favor 
her with a note in your hand writing: and having the 
opportunity of a friendly conveyance, I now with much 
pleasure comply. 

You will be pleased to hear that we are most comfort- 
ably settled with the friends here. They are kind and 
good. The town society, especially, is in prosperity. 



350 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1837-Age 86. 



For the last three weeks we have had a succession of 
persons applying for spiritual advice ; and two at least, 
who came in deep distress, have been enabled to believe 
on the Lord Jesus with their hearts unto righteousness. 
Our prayer meetings, on Monday and Saturday evenings, 
are attended by about one hundred and fifty devout wor- 
shipers. In meeting the classes, I have met with many 
who are hungering and thirsting to be filled with righteous- 
ness ; and if a deep impoverishing process is the ordinary 
forerunner of a sanctifying shower, I think we have a good 
prospect. 

My health, I am thankful to say, has sensibly improved 
since I left London. I have hitherto preached three times 
a week, besides meeting classes ; and though I have re- 
peatedly felt that I had gone to the verge of my strength, 
yet I have sustained no real injury. This, together with 
the increase of inward happiness which I have, through 
my renewed actual connection with the good work, causes 
me daily to rejoice. 

My colleagues are all I could wish; and we have, in- 
deed, the prospect of a happy year. 

I have made inquiry about the ostler, who was the chief 
man in the society when you visited Colchester with the 
venerable Wesley; and have been informed that he re- 
tained his integrity to the end, and died a peaceful and 
triumphant death. During life he had realized some 
property ; the greater part of which he bequeathed to the 
trustees of the old chapel, and to the poor of the society. 
One of his items to the latter secures a loaf of bread to 
twelve widows every week. 

Mrs. M'Owan unites with me in affectionate regards, 
and in earnest prayer that your health may be greatly 
improved, and that your spiritual enjoyments may yet more 
and more abound. 

We have not forgotten your prayers in our behalf. We 



1839-Age 68. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



351 



shall feel honored by your communication at your earliest 
convenience. I remain, dear sir, 

Yours affectionately, 

Peter M'Owan. 

In the spring of the year 1839 Mr. Moore was attacked 
by an illness which had nearly proved fatal. To a friend 
who hastened to see him, he said, raising himself up in 
bed, " Here I am, but I know not what the Lord may 
be about doing with me, nor am I anxious : I feel my feet 
are upon the rock, and if I die, I die to live. On this, per- 
haps, my dying bed, I thank God that he called me out of 
the world to be his servant; I thank him for the grace 
which has enabled me to be faithful to my calling ; and I 
thank him, too, that I have never looked back since I first 
set out for the heavenly kingdom." At another time he 
remarked, " When Mr. Wesley was dying, he repeated, 

' I the chief of sinners am, 
But Jesus died for rne.' 

Such is also my feeling and sentiment ;" and then raising 
his eyes and hand, he again repeated the same lines : 
pausing a few moments, he added, " And Jesus not only 
died for me, but he lives in me : any faith, short of this 
evidence, is not worth resting in, while it is said, ' He will 
send forth the Spirit into their hearts, crying, Abba, 
Father.' " To the same friend he subsequently added, 
" Live to God, live to God, there is nothing else worth 
living for, nothing else that will abide the day of his 
coming." Then, pausing a few minutes, Mr. Moore said, 
" I had gracious manifestations from the Holy Spirit this 
morning upon my bed, they softened my heart. O the love 
of Jesus, the love of Jesus !" 

To the surprise of Mr. Moore's medical attendant and 
friends, he recovered once more in a few weeks his usual 



352 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1839--Age88. 



health and strength, so as to be able, in the July following, 
to resume his accustomed weekly visits to his friends at 
Stoke Newington. On his entering the house he ex- 
claimed, " Behold, I am here again, a miracle to myself: 
I feel as in a dream when one awaketh ; and what God 
designs I know not, by thus sparing my life : God is my 
witness, I am ready to do his holy will, whether by my 
life or in my death ; I am ready to live to act, or to die to 
live : God grant that my future life be not a mere natural 
life, but 1 one hid with Christ in God.' I often ask my- 
self, Why does God spare me 1 what is his purpose in thus 
prolonging my inactive existence ? My importunity for life 
has not been the cause, for I felt 'ready to depart and 
be with Christ,' knowing it was far better." 

It was replied, " Sanctify them through Thy truth, — 
thy word is truth:" he added quickly, " Yes, that is God's 
design, and I believe he will accomplish it in me ; his will 
be done !" 

Shortly afterward, drawing a book from his pocket, 
Mr. Moore added, " I have brought back your sixth 
volume of Dr. Southey's Life of the poet Cowper. I wish 
you particularly to mark what Cowper says on the subject 
of dreams, — his views are expressed in a letter to Lady 
Hesketh, where he says, writing to that lady, (page 52,) 
' Mrs. Carter thinks on the subject of dreams as everyone 
else does ; that is to say — according to her own expe- 
rience : she has had none that are extraordinary, and, 
therefore, accounts dreams as only the ordinary operation 
of the fancy. Mine are of a texture that will not suffer 
me to ascribe them to so inadequate a cause, or to any 
cause but the operation of an exterior agency.' Cowper 
continues, ' I have a mind, and to you I will venture to 
boast of it, as free from superstition as any man living ; 
neither do I give heed to dreams in general as predictive, 
though particular ones I believe to be so. Some very 



1839-Age 88- 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



353 



sensible persons, and I suppose Mrs. Carter among them, 
will readily acknowledge, that in old times God spake by- 
dreams ; but they affirm with much boldness that he has 
ceased to do so. If you ask them when, they answer, He 
has now revealed his will in the Scriptures, and there is 
no longer any need that he should instruct or admonish us 
by dreams. I grant that, with respect to doctrines and 
precepts, he has left us in want of nothing ; but has he, 
therefore, proscribed himself in any of the operations of 
his providence ? Surely not ; — it is perfectly a different 
consideration, and the same need that there was for his 
interference in this way then, there is still, and ever must be 
while man continues blind and fallible, and a creature beset 
with changes which he can neither foresee nor obviate : his 
operations, however, of this kind are, I allow, very rare.'" 

After Mr. Moore had remarked at some length upon the 
correct sentiment which, to his mind, Cowper entertained 
upon the subject of dreams, he said, " I am sure I have 
often been taught, and warned too, by the visions of the 
night upon my bed. He who formed mind can, and does 
at times, instruct it without the aid of those general re- 
cipients by which it usually acquires information. 

" For * doctrine and precept,' I, too, would only look to 
the record of God, which is the word of God; but often, 
when in heaviness of spirit, I have had no clear perception 
of God's will concerning any judgment of a case, or line 
of conduct which was best to be pursued by me, I have 
thus laid me down in bed in the prayerful desire, as ex- 
pressed in one of our hymns, concerning God's will — 

' Bid me e'en in sleep go on, 
Restlessly my God desire 

then he has spoken to my spirit upon my bed, and my 
waking conduct has manifested that I had not been mis- 
taken in my midnight teacher !" 



354 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1$M-Age 88. 



It has been seen in the course of this memoir that Mr. 
Moore looked with a jealous mind not only upon every in- 
novation in the understood laws of Methodism, but also 
upon any new thing introduced among the people. This 
holy jealousy was much excited relative to a scheme which 
was devised for raising a fund to be called " The Centenary 
Fund," which was intended to commemorate the institution 
of what is properly termed Wesleyan Methodism, since 
its proper incorporated institution as a religious body ; and 
which fund (amounting to .£220,000) was to be appro- 
priated to the building, or beautifying, of premises for 
carrying on the affairs of the missions, to be called the 
Wesleyan Centenary Hall ; for the aiding of the Theo- 
logical Institution ; and also for other charities, such as the 
chapel fund, and others immediately connected with, and 
necessary to, the well-being of the body politic. This fund, 
large as it was, and evincing the excessive beneficence of 
that large body of Christian people, excited much uneasi- 
ness in the mind of Mr. Moore, because he feared that a 
sudden influx of wealth might injure the spiritual prosperity 
of the people, by exciting a spirit of ambition for, and on 
behalf of, its even holy things. 

The subjoined letter from Mr. Moore, relative to this 
subject, will express his views generally. It was addressed 
to one of the Wesleyan missionary secretaries, the Rev. 
John Beecham. 

Brunswick-place, January 18, 1839. 

My Dear Brother, — I inclose you my usual annual 
subscription for the missions, £\0 10s. Perhaps it is 
needful to speak a few words on another subject, although 
in so doing I shall, to use the words of St. Paul, be con- 
strained to speak as a fool. I have lived and labored 
many years as a Wesleyan Methodist preacher. When I 
first became acquainted with Mr. Wesley, I observed that 



1839-J.g-e 88. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



355 



he preached the gospel with the utmost simplicity, and he 
seemed to feel all that he preached, and to make it all his 
own. I aimed to follow him, as he followed Christ. All 
human artificial ways he taught me to despise, believing 
they could no more help one who was called of God to the 
ministry than (to use his own words) " Dean Swift's mill 
to make verses could help a real poet." 

Speaking on this subject, soon after he began his hea- 
venly course, he says, " My soul is sick of this sublime 
divinity : let mine be that of a little child ; and let the 
deepest words I use to express it be those I find in the 
oracles of God." 

I hope I am also a Wesleyan giver : I give what I can, 
and at a time when I think it most needful. Had I acted 
otherwise, especially for the last twenty-five years, I might 
now, in the present extraordinary day, rank with the most 
liberal of my brethren ; but I have reserved for myself, and 
to help those who depend upon me, but a bare sufficiency. 

Let no man therefore judge me as insensible to the 
good of Methodism, or ungrateful to the Father of light, 
who gave it to the world by his favored servant, because I 
do not give to your centenary : I cannot, unless I would 
" rob Peter to pay Paul," which I do not think it right to 
do, especially as now Peter seems to be the poorer of the 
two. Therefore, admiring the liberality of the brethren, 
and yet terribly afraid of the consequences of it to the work 
of God, I remain, 

Your very affectionate brother, 

H. Moore. 

It has been observed that Mr. Moore undertook in the 
year 1817 to compile the "Life of the late Mrs. Fletcher," 
relict of the pious and learned vicar of Madeley, from the 
papers left by that extraordinary lady ; and for which task 
Mr. Moore was eminently fitted by his general knowledge 



356 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1839-Age 88. 



of the state of religion in her day, and also from his intimate 
personal acquaintance with herself. Some time after the 
publication of that work, it was translated into the French, 
by Miss D'Arcy, sister-in-law of Major Sirr, superintendent 
of the Dublin police ; and by that lady a copy was presented, 
by permission, to the queen of France, by whom it was 
personally received with the most marked expressions of 
kindly condescension. 

It appears that in the year 1839 Miss D'Arcy undertook 
to compile a Life of the Rev. John Wesley, taking for her 
ground-work Mr. Moore's Life of that greatly-good man, 
but enriching it also from those written by other of his 
biographers : it is to this subject that the subjoined letter 
refers, addressed to that lady, then residing in Paris : — 

Brunswick-place, 1839. 

Dear Miss D'Arcy, — Your remembrance of me is 
always grateful to me ; and I am glad that you still re- 
member me in love, in which I include your dear sister. 
This double feeling constrains me to take up a heavy cross, 
to write once more a short letter; for no cross to me is so 
heavy now as writing. I am much changed since I saw 
you. Nearly five years ago I had a paralytic affection, by 
which my right hand has almost lost its cunning, as you 
will perceive, besides inducing much general debility. I 
have been obliged to give up the itinerant ministry ; and 
am unable to render you any assistance in your labor of 
love, in which I am much interested : all I can give you 
is my best wishes and prayers. 

I have left off corresponding, even with my dear sisters, 
who are obliged to be satisfied with hearing about me. 
My understanding and voice are graciously continued to 
me, so that I continue to preach occasionally ; for which I 
am thankful. I live chiefly in retirement, and see little 
company ; and I am striving to prepare for that solemn 



1839-Age 88. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



357 



change which has been so wonderfully protracted, I being 
now in my eighty-eighth year ; and I have a good hope, 
through grace. 

I shall be glad to hear that you have succeeded in the 
work so kindly undertaken by you ; and I trust it will do 
good, though I cannot promise to answer your letter even 
bearing such good news, being quite exhausted with even 
this effort. I must therefore conclude, wishing yourself 
and your dear sister every blessing. I am, dear Miss 
D'Arcy, 

Your very affectionate friend, 

Henry Moore. 
P. S. Remember me kindly to your brother-in-law, Major 
Sirr, and his lady : I hope they are well. 

Major Sirr was an officer in the army, and distinguished 
for his uncommon bravery. He rendered himself eminently 
useful in the Irish rebellion. Having gained information 
that Lord Edward Fitzgerald, brother of the duke of Leinster, 
headed the rebellion, he hastened to seize him ; but his 
resistance was so great, his antagonist was obliged to fire, 
which wounded his lordship in the arm : he was then 
secured, and lodged in prison. A fever ensued in conse- 
quence of the wound, when his aunt, Lady Louisa Lenox, 
daughter of the duke of Richmond, entreated and obtained 
leave from the lord lieutenant to attend her nephew in 
prison, which she did till he died. This amiable lady 
had been several years before married to Mr. Connolly, 
one of the richest commoners in Ireland. 

It may be observed that although Mr. Moore had ceased 
to be an itinerant preacher, yet he was generally able to 
preach once on the sabbath, though, on account of the 
feebleness of his limbs, he was obliged to sit in the pulpit ; 
yet he ever felt grateful to God for being permitted to 
speak in his great name, and to preach repentance and 



358 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1839-^lge 88. 



remission of sins to all who, in simple faith, relied upon the 
atonement once offered for man's transgressions. 

His mind was generally in a cheerful and equable state, 
and he delighted to occupy his accustomed seat in the 
house of his intimate friends ; where his conversation was 
ever pious, cheerful, and instructive, tending to the edifi- 
cation of all who had the privilege of his society: his 
memory was surprisingly good : he would relate with the 
most rigid exactness events and anecdotes, with even years 
intervening between the respective relations ; his fund of 
anecdote also was large, and highly interesting. 

One day, on a circumstance connected with Leeds being- 
mentioned, Mr. Moore added : " I knew Surgeon Hayes, 
of Leeds ; he was himself a Methodist, and very intimate 
with the celebrated Dr. Priestley, who also then resided 
there, and who occasionally accompanied Mr. Hayes to the 
Wesleyan chapel. On his calling on Dr. Priestley to take 
him to hear, as he expected, an eminent preacher, the Rev. 
Samuel Bradburn, he was quite confounded on perceiving in 
the pulpit, in his stead, Mr. Thomas Mitchel, a zealous and 
pious local preacher. The mistake was without remedy ; 
and Dr. Priestley heard very attentively this very good, 
plain, but unlettered man. On their way home from the 
chapel, Mr. Hayes, after some silence, fearing a man of 
Dr. Priestley's mind could not but be distressed by so plain 
a sermon, at first feared to make the slightest inquiry of 
the doctor respecting it. At length, however, he remarked, 
* I lament, Dr. Priestley, our disappointment this evening ; 
but I hope you will not misjudge the mistake.' ' Make no 
apology, sir,' replied Dr. Priestley, 'I think the sermon was 
a most admirable one.' ' Doctor, you must surely be joking.' 
' Indeed, sir, I am not,' replied Dr. Priestley : 1 that sermon 
was a most excellent one. Many men may do good; but 
that man must do good, for he aims at nothing else.' " 

Mr. Moore had for some years been in the habit of 



l&^Age 88. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



359 



spending the anniversary of his birthday at the house of 
his friend, Mr. Richard Smith. On the twenty-first day 
of December of this year, when he entered his eighty-ninth 
year, he went with his accustomed cheerfulness to Stoke 
Newington. He returned to each and all their kindly 
greeting upon the occasion ; and on its being remarked, 
" Really, Mr. Moore, you look so well it is almost a duty 
to ask how old you are !" he replied, " Old enough to be 
better, my dear friend ; especially having known and seen 
so much of God's faithfulness in my own experience, and 
that too of so many of his people, who all testify of his 
goodness in their various providential dispensations, and 
the depth of the riches of the knowledge and love of God 
in Christ Jesus concerning us : his love has followed me 
all the days of my life ; and here I am, willing to abide 
his own good pleasure : my limbs are feeble ; but in other 
respects, I bless God, I feel myself. I preached last 
sabbath at Hackney, with much liberty ; and Mr. Martin 
has called upon me to preach for him, on Christmas morn- 
ing, at the City Road chapel." To the remark, " It is a 
large chapel for you now, sir ;" he replied, " Yes, it is ; but 
as it appears to be God's providence that calls me there, I 
will not mistrust him for enabling me once more to bear 
my testimony for him in that place. I am ever in God's 
hand ; and while I ever seek so to be, I cannot for a moment 
conceive myself left in the power of Satan : we should be 
at daggers' points in a moment. I should preach, even in 
hell itself, of the love of God in Christ Jesus, which would 
have redeemed every soul there had they obeyed the gospel 
terms of salvation, or ' the light which lighteneth every man 
coming into the world ;' and I should preach of the folly of 
the rebellion of the leader to perdition, even to himself ; and 
methinks he would wish me out, for causing a deeper rebel- 
lion still, against himself, even in his own abode of hopeless- 
ness !" Then, raising his eyes and clasping his hands, Mr. 



360 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1840-^89. 



Moore exclaimed, " God is love : God is love. He who gave 
his Son has said, and ' with him I will freely give you all 
things ;' and what are these : — by simple faith to lay hold 
on Him who is our peace ; who having, by his own oblation, 
obtained reconciliation for us with the Almighty Father, has 
given us his Holy Spirit to testify in our spirits that we 
are his by our accepting him, on the simple terms of salva- 
tion by faith alone, in ' his agony and bloody sweat, his 
cross and passion, his glorious resurrection and ascension, 
and by the coming of the Holy Ghost.' If the heart be 
sincere before him, God's terms of salvation are indeed 
simple : ' If any man sinneth, and sayeth, I have sinned, 
and it profiteth me nothing,' the reply is, * I, even I, am he 
who blotteth out thy transgressions, and will remember thy 
sins against thee no more, for ever ! ' " 

Mr. Moore occupied himself much in reading the various 
theological publications of the day: but his chief study 
was the word of God ; and this he read with much prayer. 
He frequently prayed aloud, in the fervency of his spirit, 
seeming to forget that his soul had a voice, while it was 
thus " in audience with the Deity." Often has the foot- 
step of a friend been stayed, as about to enter his sitting 
room, by his earnest supplications to God for the greater 
sanctification of his body, soul, and spirit, to Him who was 
his all in all ; and while at times he seemed to be laying 
hold upon the horns of the altar, wrestling with the angel 
of the covenant, his earnestness was solemn and powerful, 
and his faith in Jesus such as must " with the God-man 
prevail." 

The year 1840 set in with much rain, and great preva- 
lence of high winds, which, for a few weeks, rendered it 
unsafe for Mr. Moore to pay his accustomed visits to Stoke 
Newington ; and, on this being remarked upon at his first 
renewed visit, he replied, " And now it is by God's espe- 
cial mercy that I am here ; for since I saw you I have had, 



"im-Age 89. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



361 



I believe, a narrow escape from death." From this inti- 
mation, the particulars to which it referred being anxiously 
inquired for, Mr. Moore related the following circum- 
stance. 

" Since the recent severity of my cough, I have, on 
retiring to rest, accustomed myself to take a dessert spoon- 
ful of elixir of paregoric, in half a wineglass of water : 
last week, having exhausted my supply, I took the bottle 
with me to get it replenished at a respectable chemist's : it 
had labeled on it ' Elixir of paregoric,' and I asked the 
young man in the shop to fill it again with the same, and 
having paid him, I proceeded homeward. Just before 
going to rest, I poured into a half a wineglass of water the 
accustomed spoonful out of the bottle, but on swallowing 
it, I found such an instant burning in my stomach as nearly 
distracted me ; alarmed, I exclaimed to my niece, Miss 
Rutherford, What is this ? The bottle was sent to a medi- 
cal gentleman in the neighborhood, to ascertain its contents, 
who pronounced it to be elixir of vitriol. For four days," 
continued Mr. Moore, " I was quite ill, the burning sensa- 
tion distressing me excessively : when I was better, I took 
the bottle, with what remained in it, to the chemist's where 
I had it filled, and a gentleman being in the shop who 
had not filled the bottle on the previous occasion, I said, 
' Excuse me, sir, are you the master of this concern V The 
reply being in the affirmative, I added, ' Will you then, sir, 
have the goodness to tell me the contents of this bottle, 
irrespective of the label on it V He smelt and tasted, and 
then pronounced it elixir of vitriol. i Then sir,' naming the 
day, ' I called myself here, and asking for this bottle to be 
filled as labeled with elixir of paregoric for my cough, it 
was filled by a young man here with what you find there, 
and having taken from it my usual dose, I have ever since 
suffered more or less from the consequences.' The gen- 
tleman was all confusion and apologies, deploring the 
16 



362 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



accident. I assured him," added Mr. Moore, " that I be- 
lieved it to be a pure mistake,— wished no punishment 
inflicted for it, but suggested that a person of more experi- 
ence might be safer in the shop, if his own duties called 
him much from it himself. When you think of the dose I 
took — think also of my age, eighty-nine, my dear friend ; 
to God be all the glory for my escape from death." 

Mr. Moore's attachment to his friends survived the ordi- 
nary casualties of difference in opinion ; while he opposed 
strongly those which involved any real, or supposed moral, 
or theological errors, or a relinquishment, or disregard of 
any trust. Having once suffered in this respect, he was 
careful that its experience should suffice for his whole 
life. 

There were some theological friends, however, between 
whom and himself there had never occurred any even 
partial disruption of affectionate personal, or epistolary 
intercourse : of this number was the Rev. John Reynolds, 
whom, in the year 1785, Mr. Moore, by virtue of his office 
as superintendent of the London circuit, under the direct 
authority of the Rev. John Wesley, sent out into the itin- 
erant work of the Wesleyan ministry : thus, as his friend 
and father in the gospel, Mr. Reynolds ever held Mr. 
Moore in the highest respect and esteem ; and as time 
shook them mutually by the hand, the interest and love of 
by-gone days did but kindlier cling around each, as the 
circle of love itself closed upon death's varied encroach- 
ments ! 

On Monday, September 20th of this year, Mr. Moore, 
paying his customary visit to Stoke Newington, it chanced 
that Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds were at the same village on a 
visit to their sons, and were invited to visit their mutual 
friend Mr. Richard Smith, where they enjoyed a few hours, 
social converse on the way in which they had been led by 
the good providence of their God ; and also of those days 



18±0-Age 89. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



363 



when they were actively employed in the itinerant labors 
of preaching the glad tidings of salvation to the rude, the 
ignorant, and the persecuting ; as well as the gentle and 
the diligent hearers of after days. A few of the anecdotes 
told on that day may not be uninteresting. 

" I was attending," observed Mr. Moore, " on one occa- 
sion at City Road, the Sunday morning breakfast meeting 
of the traveling and local preachers, at which Mr. Wesley 
presided ; when one of the young local preachers rose and 
found fault with his senior brother : Mr. Rankin, who was 
present, said, ' Sir, you are a young man, and ought not to 
find fault with a senior brother.' Mr. Wesley instantly 
rose and replied, ' I will thank the youngest man among 
you to tell me of any fault you see, or believe you see in 
me : in doing so, I shall consider him as my best friend.' 
This observation," continued Mr. Moore, " put an end to 
all further remarks ; for it was felt to be but in accordance 
with Mr. Wesley's universal conduct : he never felt him- 
self the master — only as the elder brother, — or when his 
brethren were in distress, then indeed he felt for them as 
a father. I remember," continued Mr. Moore, " when my- 
self and wife were sitting with Mr. Wesley at supper, and 
I found I was called upon respectfully to object to some- 
thing Mr. Wesley proposed. Looking at me earnestly, he 
said, 4 Henry Moore, you are a witness that what John 
Otley said of me is false : in the pamphlet he wrote after 
he left us he said, " Mr. Wesley could never bear a man 
who contradicted him." Now no man in England has con- 
tradicted me so much as you have done, Henry, and yet I 
love you still. You are right.' " 

In the course of conversation at the table, a large sum 
of money being mentioned as having been given by a gen- 
tleman to a charity, Mr. Moore observed, " When such 
things were mentioned in the presence of Mr. Wesley, I 
have heard him remark, ' Tell me not only what a man has 



364 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1840-^89. 



given in charity, but also what he has left behind for 
himself/ " 

Talking of the religious celebration of the centenary of 
Methodism, Mr. Moore remarked, "The Old Testament 
Scriptures make mention of the frequent observance of 
days and seasons to be observed among the Jews ; but it 
is a remarkable fact, that no day of all these was continued 
to be specially observed in the Christian church, but the 
day of the Passover : ' Then came the days of unleavened 
bread when the passover must be killed.' Luke xxii, 7. 
* And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they 
were all with one accord in one place.' Acts ii, 1-4. 
This was the day of the celebration of the giving of the 
law on Mount Sinai, and was used by the Christians to 
commemorate the descent of the Holy Ghost ; the power 
by which alone we can fulfill the law : the meaning of the 
word in Greek simply is the fiftieth day from the Pass- 
over." 

On the sabbath morning following Mr. Moore's previous 
visit to Stoke Newington, his niece Miss Rutherford, hear- 
ing his bell ring about his usual hour of rising, six o'clock, 
hastened into her uncle's room, when she found Mr. 
Moore had, in the attempt to rise, found himself unable to 
move his right arm or leg : Surgeon Hunter immediately 
attended, and pronounced the seizure a stroke of paralysis ; 
and his friends felt much solicitude for its result, this 
being the second seizure of the kind. Mr. and Mrs Rich- 
ard Smith hastened to see their venerated friend, and on 
going to his bed-side, he held out his left hand, and said 
with much energy, " I am glad to see you, I am glad to see 
you both." On its being asked, " Have you any pain, sir V 
Mr. Moore replied, " None from head to foot, only my 
right side feels as if dead." Mr. Smith remarked, " How 
gently does God deal with you, my dear sir : considering 
the fall of man, you seem to have suffered through your 



1840-Age 89. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



365 



long life as little from its physical effects as almost any 
one ; God has kept both your body and soul." " O yes," 
he replied, " and I can now say with Gregory Lopez, ' All 
is clear day and with our own poet, 

' Not a cloud doth arise To darken the skies, 
Or hide for a moment The Lord from my eyes.' 

Jesus is my song, and he has become my salvation !" 

After the first five days from this attack, Mr. Moore 
continued to revive gradually, but not permanently; for 
one day subsequently, talking to a friend respecting this 
attack, he said, " I have still no pain, and the doctor treats 
all this with lightness ; but I feel it to be death : come it 
will, and if it be soon, well, — if more distant, well ; with 
God are its issues ! Christian resignation is good, 
and becoming; but it is Jesus who is our only plea, 
our only redemption. He saw us in our sin and in 
our blood, and he offered himself to God as our ransom 
and redemption : the Almighty Father willed it so, and the 
Holy Ghost gave his influencing sanction : Jesus is my 
soul's rest, and here have I rested for many, many years. 
This affliction is a cloud God has permitted to come be- 
fore me, but I can see through it, and all is bright on the 
other side." 

On its being observed, " How many of your old friends 
are gone before you into glory !" he said with animation, 
" And I have known some among the best in the world : 
the Wesleys, Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher, and many others of 
the very salt of the earth, but less distinguished in their 
sphere of usefulness ; I shall see them all again, and with 
them sing, ' Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive 
power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, 
and glory, and blessing.' Mr. Wesley has beautifully 
sung, 



366 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



IMO-Age 89. 



' There all the ship's company meet, 

Who sail'd with the Saviour beneath : 
With shouting each other they greet, 
And triumph o'er sorrow and death.' 

It is now upward of sixty years," added Mr. Moore, " since 
I was first brought to God, and thanks to his holy name, 
though my unfaithfulness has been frequent, I have never 
looked back to the city of destruction, nor lost the faith I 
had before I was a Methodist : I thank him for his pre- 
serving and sustaining grace ; but I rest my soul alone on 
Jesus ! Works avail not, — the best and longest performed 
are but imperfect and finite ; and wrought by himself in 
us, so merit is altogether excluded." 

In the enjoyment of this perfect tranquillity of mind, Mr. 
Moore so far recovered from his attack as to be able to be 
brought down stairs ; and his dormitory being removed to 
the same floor as his sitting room, he was able by the help 
of crutches to go from one room to another. A few of his 
most intimate friends made a point of seeing him very fre- 
quently ; and his cheerful piety and holy conversation 
were made beneficial to their own spirits : for while 
their venerable friend lived on earth, he held sacred 
converse with heaven, and the spirit of health and of 
a sound mind was constantly infused into all his con- 
versations. 

Neither was his memory much affected by his late 
attack ; the readiness of his articulation alone appeared to 
have suffered by the seizure ; but though slower, it was 
perfectly intelligible. 

December 21, Mr. Moore entered upon the ninetieth 
year of his age, and though his physical strength was 
much diminished, his mind was firm and cheerful. To a 
friend, who went to see him on the occasion, he remarked, 
" Here I am yet, but I do not expect to fulfill your pro- 
posed plan of going to dine with you, at Stoke Newington, 



mO-Age 80. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



367 



on my hundredth birthday." " Why not, dear sir ?" it was 
replied, " you seem as if you had both physical and mental 
strength to last out the other ten years." " Well, God's 
will be done : I am by his grace ready to live or die, and 
can consequently say, £ I bless the day that I was born.' 
I suffer no pain of body, I enjoy happy communion with 
God. O what has my Jesus wrought fo me ! He has died 
that I might live with him for ever." 

He then requested to have two letters read which he 
had received that morning from two of his long-attached 
friends, and which Mr. Moore heard read, apparently with 
much feeling. Extracts from these letters will be grati- 
fying to the reader. 

The first is from the Rev. Jacob Stanley. 

Bristol, December 20, 1840. 
My Highly-esteemed Friend and Father, — You 
will receive this on the day in which you will terminate 
your eighty-ninth year, and enter upon your ninetieth. 
How many years more the Lord may see fit to continue 
you on this side Jordan, I know not; but most sincerely 
I pray that they may all be filled with goodness and 
mercy, and attended with as small a portion of the in- 
firmities of old age as may consist with his all-wise 
arrangements. I was grieved to hear that your right hand 
was increasingly weakened, but hope that you have now 
recovered its use. Happy should I be to have a few lines 
written by that hand, to convince me that it had not en- 
tirely lost its cunning. What a vapor is human life ! In 
looking over the Minutes of Conference, I perceive there 
are only three preachers in the itinerancy now who were 
in it when I entered in 1797: those are Messrs. Reece, 
Marsden, and Waddy. I have survived most of my co- 
temporaries, but you have survived them all ! How 
insignificant would life be, but as it stands related to the 



368 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



lHO-Age 89. 



life to come ! This gives it all its real importance : this 
is the seed time, that is the harvest. 

My good wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Irving, unite in much 
love and many kind wishes for you, with those of 

Your affectionate friend, Jacob Stanley. 

The other letter was from his brother-in-law, the Rev. 
Joseph Entwisle, and is as follows : — 

Tadcaster, December 19, 1840. 

My Dear Brother, — It is a long time since I heard 
from you direct, but I have heard several times indirectly 
that you are as well as can be expected at your advanced 
age, and a wonder to many! The Lord has preserved 
you far beyond " threescore years and ten." Long life 
is in itself a blessing, especially when the greatest part 
of it has been employed and improved to the glory of God. 

If I mistake not, the twenty-first instant is your birth- 
day, when you will finish your eighty-ninth year. In 
looking back all the way which the Lord has led you in 
the wilderness, you see abundant reason for gratitude ; 
" not one of all the good things which God hath promised 
hath failed." Ebenezer ! 

I could fancy, however, that I hear you say, in the lan- 
guage of Mr. Wesley, 

" I the chief of sinners am, 
But Jesus died for me :" 

and with St. Paul, " God forbid that I should glory, save 
in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." May your latter 
days be your best days. 

I am glad you have Miss Rutherford with you. I have 
this week been reading over again the Life of her excellent 
father, and it has been made a great blessing to my 
soul. O for a succession of such men in our connection! 
Through mercy my health is good — it has lately greatly 



mo-Age 89. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



369 



improved ; yet I find that old age is creeping on me ; 
this is what I ought to expect, as I am nearly closing my 
seventy-fourth year: I can scarcely believe it; however, 
so it is. 

And so brother Dowty has finished his course, and our 
young brother, L. Loxton, at an early age. How rapidly 
our brethren fall, like leaves from the trees in autumn! 
How many have I seen rise and shine as stars in the right 
hand of our Lord, and then disappear ! You have seen 
many more than I have. 

It would afford me great pleasure to hear from you soon ; 
perhaps Miss Rutherford will again act as your amanu- 
ensis, and you can bear to sign your name. 

I am here with my daughter Mary, and as comfortably 
accommodated as I wish to be on this side the grave ; and 
with our united love to Miss Rutherford, I am, my dear 
brother, 

Yours affectionately, 

Joseph Entwisle. 

Several friends called in upon Mr. Moore in the even- 
ing, with whom he entered into cheerful conversation, and 
to each testified of the goodness and faithfulness of God 
to him through every period of his long life. He spoke 
affectionately of his venerated friend, the Rev. John Wes- 
ley, and illustrated many of his own remarks by the prac- 
tical experience and example of that great and good man. 

Under the head of discipline, Mr. Moore remarked, Mr. 
Wesley ever observed it himself, even in minor matters. 

" When I was superintendent of the London circuit, 
Mr. Wesley, and his sister Mrs. Hall, calling together at 
my house, Mrs. Hall, who never joined the Methodist so- 
ciety, addressing her brother, said, 1 I should like to attend 
the various religious meetings of your people ; have I your 
leave, brother V ' 0 yes, you may go to them,' he replied. 
16* 



370 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. \8il~Age 90. 



' Well, then,' rejoined Mrs. Hall, ' having your leave, I 
shall not ask that of any one else.' ' Yes, you must,' re- 
plied Mr. Wesley, ' when I am not here, you must ask 
leave of Henry Moore.' " Mr. Moore continued : " It was 
once objected to me by a French gentleman, ' that Mr. 
Wesley's doctrine of justification by faith, and faith itself, 
were irrational.' I replied, ' I am not surprised at your 
objecting to Mr. Wesley's definition of faith ; it was ob- 
jected to by the learned men in our own country, but the 
whole of the objections are fully answered in St. John's 
Gospel, " As many as received Him, to them gave he 
power to become the sons of God, even to them that be- 
lieve on his name : which were born, not of blood, nor of 
the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." 
John i, 12, 13. 

" ' This is the faith laid hold of and preached by Mr. 
Wesley. The faith which men in general have is his- 
torical faith ; but the faith declared to be living faith in the 
gospel is, " being born of God ;" and this is discerned and 
felt by the renewing power of the Holy Spirit in the heart. 
All other faith, Mr. Wesley, following the same Scriptures, 
declared to be dead faith.' " 

The year 1841 dawned upon Mr. Moore in the enjoy- 
ment of his usual health and peace. 

His friend, the Rev. John Reynolds, writing to a mutual 
friend, in the January of this year, says, " I am anxious 
to hear from you respecting the state of our venerated 
friend, Mr. Moore ; I do not, of course, mean his spiritual 
state ; of its well-being I have no doubt : he has long been 
a good soldier of Christ, and his Captain will not forsake 
him now that he is passing through life's closing conflicts. 
I am glad you go frequently to see him ; I am especially 
so, that you went to dine with him on his birthday, De- 
cember 21. The day following was my birthday, when 
I entered into my eighty-second year. My bodily strength 



mi-Age 90. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



371 



is decreased, my vigor somewhat abated : but I believe I 
have found but little abatement of that divine ardor and 
anxiety which I have so long felt for Zion's prosperity. 
O may I run with patience and diligence the remaining 
part of the race set before me, continually looking unto 
Jesus !" 

Mr. Moore also, like his friend, felt much for the suc- 
cess of the cause of God in the earth ; and he listened 
earnestly to any information given him respecting the 
increase of vital godliness, longing ardently for the uni- 
versal spread of the gospel as carried on by any party 
" who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity." Speaking, 
however, one day on the subject of foreign missions, he 
observed, " I do not approve of any coercion in introducing 
the gospel to the heathen : our Lord himself lays down 
such simple rules to be observed in these cases, that we 
need not err : — ' If they persecute you in one city, flee ye 
to another.' He would have no force used : in reference 
to man, he uses no force himself : if he would force man's 
free-will, all might be saved, for the atonement of Jesus is 
infinite ; but because he will not force man's free-will, 
souls perish in their sins ! Man's free agency, and con- 
sequent responsibility, is a subject full of awful grandeur, 
and worthy of the God who made him !" 

On another occasion, speaking of the failing of his 
limbs, Mr. Moore said, " They have been good servants 
many years ; I must not complain. Only once I remember 
being laid up, and that for five weeks, with a bad leg 
through an accident." " How did that happen, sir ?" it 
was subjoined. " I was one night returning from a place 
where I had been preaching, and my horse fell under me ; 
one foot remaining in the stirrup, the animal plunged to 
disengage himself, and kicked my leg, which was on the 
ground, then quietly stood grazing at the road side. Though 
much hurt," continued Mr. Moore, " I got up and re- 



372 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1841-^e 90. 



mounted, pursuing my way home, where, for a short time, 
I endeavored to cure my leg myself ; but all my efforts 
failed, — the leg got worse, and I was thankful to call in a 
medical gentleman, who had twice the trouble for not 
having had it earlier. 

" One day, seeing the kind pains he was taking with my 
limb, I thought, I will see what this gentleman knows 
about religion : accordingly I brought up a subject which 
involved religious consideration : he listened some time 
without assenting or dissenting from anything said; at 
length he observed, ' Do you think, sir, that a deist who 
is moral, and behaves well in all the relationships of life, 
can be saved V To this I replied, ' I decline answering 
that question now, but I should think such a man must be 
a very unhappy man.' ' Bless me,' replied the gentleman, 
1 you quite surprise me, I thought it was the very way to 
quiet all contradictory opinions and various questionings 
on the subject of religion : how do you mean that a deist 
must necessarily be unhappy V ' You believe in a God, 
and that this God knows all things and can do all things : 
that it is his will that men should pray to him, and that 
he hears prayer, and is merciful and willing to help his 
creatures.' This was assented to after some consideration 
and hesitation. ' Well then, sir,' I resumed, ' how do you 
account for the existence of so much evil in the world, if 
he has all power and goodness ? I suppose you believe 
he might easily have prevented the evil and misery, and 
that if you had the same power yourself which you believe 
he has, you would have made the world free from these 
evils.' He thought for some time, and then replied, ' But 
does not the same difficulty arise from the Christian re- 
ligion V I answered, ' I believe not, sir : here is a book,' 
taking up the Bible which laid upon the table, ' which tells 
me, that God made the world without any evil, and without 
any pain or sorrow, and that after he had made it, he 



I8il-Age 90. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



373 



himself pronounced it to be very good: the same book 
tells me also how death and all these evils came into the 
world ; and that it was by man's disobedience, and not 
originating in God : and the same book informs me of the 
whole progress of God's care and power in restoring safety 
and happiness to man in a manner worthy of God. To 
this end he has given man a Saviour, Jesus Christ, the 
God-man, and he has suffered death for our transgressions, 
and risen again for our justification, and by his own death 
he has conquered him who had the power of death, that 
is the devil, and brought life and immortality to light by 
this his gospel. And here we learn that he has appointed 
a day in the which he will judge all men, according to 
their works, — those who have done evil shall be eternally 
punished; those who have done well shall be eternally 
rewarded : for he shall judge all in infinite righteousness. 
This divine revelation teaches all these points so clearly, 
that doubt cannot exist before a calm consideration of the 
whole subject of religion ; and if it be read with a 
prayerful desire to learn the way and the will of God, 
he will send the Holy Spirit to help our spirits' in- 
firmity, and " He will take of the things of God, and 
show them unto us!'" He replied, 'Why, sir, I never 
heard these things before ; but I will give them my candid 
consideration.' 

" On a subsequent visit he asked me to lend him Mr. 
Wesley's Notes on the New Testament, as he supposed 
they treated of the plan of salvation through the Saviour ; 
of the evil to be avoided, and of the good to be pursued, 
in order to final happiness. I requested his acceptance 
of a copy. During the five weeks my leg took to heal, 
our conversations were increasingly religious, and mutually 
satisfactory ; and I have reason to believe his mind was 
fully impressed with the necessity of personal vital religion. 
When I left the place, we parted on the most friendly 



374 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



lBil-Age 90. 



terms, and on his part with an utter renouncement of 
deism." 

On another occasion Mr. Moore remarked to a friend, 
" I have just been reading of an attempt to revive for the 
belief of the church the Romish doctrine of justification 
by works. If this could be established, Luther was mis- 
taken in the very onset of the Reformation, and the martyrs 
died in vain ; for it was in direct opposition to this very 
doctrine that Latimer and Ridley opposed themselves to 
Bishop Gardiner, and especially to the Jesuits, ultimately 
dying to seal with their blood to the church the doctrine 
of justification by faith alone, which some of her sons are 
attempting to throw off, in order by the performing of a few 
works to help themselves on toward the kingdom of God. 
As to the sacraments, they are holy, and imperatively 
ordained for the faithful observance of the Christian church, 
but they can in no measure atone for sin ! Turn, my dear 
friend," continued Mr. Moore, "to the tenth chapter of the 
Acts, and there you will find that while St. Peter was 
preaching to the Gentiles, assembled together in the house 
of Cornelius, and witnessing of Jesus, ' That through his 
name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission 
of sins,' (verse 43 ;) and that ' while Peter yet spake 
these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard 
the word : and they of the circumcision which believed 
were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because 
that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the 
Holy Ghost ; for they heard them speak with tongues, and 
magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid 
water, that these should not be baptized, which have re- 
ceived the Holy Ghost as well as we ? And he commanded 
them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.' Verses 44-48. 
Thus we see that faith came by hearing, without the ad- 
ministration of baptism, which was administered after their 
reception of the Saviour by simple faith, and as their out- 



1841-Age 90. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



375 



ward reception into the Christian church. How many 
of our friends have thus in the full triumph of the gospel 
entered into ' the rest which remaineth for the people of 
God r " 

A friend conversing with Mr. Moore, in the month of 
August, in reference to the Jews and their long-continued 
state of spiritual bondage, he replied, " The greatest hin- 
derance the Jews have to their spiritual regeneration is 
their love of the world. This is the strongest veil which 
is upon their hearts. Many of them, I am persuaded, are 
convinced of the truth of the Christian religion. Did I 
ever tell you," added Mr. Moore, " of the circumstance of 
the Jew who came to me ? It is a case exactly in point. 
One day, when I first resided in London, in the year 1784, 
a gentleman called upon me in the City Road ; and said 
he wished to have a little conversation with me. I en- 
couraged him to speak freely; and he then said, 'I can, 
sir, in a few words, explain the nature of my wishes and 
wants. I am by birth and profession a Jew ; but I am fully 
convinced that Jesus Christ was the true Messiah. In this 
case, sir, what am I to do V 

" 1 There are two things, sir,' I replied, ' prescribed for 
you to do : the apostle of that God who invites you says, 
" With the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and 
with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Ac- 
cording to your own confession you have attained unto the 
one ; it now remains for you to do the other : you must 
confess Him, or he will not confess you.' ' Why, sir, if 
I do,' replied the gentleman, ' I shall be ruined. You must 
know, sir, I am by profession a surgeon and accoucheur, 
and attend most of the ladies of our people. Up to the 
present, no one suspects I am not in reality what I appear 
to be in observance. If they did, I am satisfied not one 
of them would employ me.'" 

Mr. Moore replied, " ' You know, sir, what your father 



376 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1841-itge 90. 



Abraham did ; and how he followed the command of God, 
and left his native land, not knowing whither he went.' 
The stranger added, ' I have in part foreseen this trial 
before me ; but I have a wife and several children, and it 
would be their ruin.' Here the gentleman wept much, 
but promised to give my counsel his deep consideration ; 
and shortly after took his leave. 

" In a few days he called again, saying he was in- 
creasingly unhappy, both by day and night ; but his wife 
and children laid heavy at his heart, and their ruin was 
more than he could bring his mind to : and asked me if I 
could help him in case of his confession of his Christian 
faith. I replied, ' There is nothing, sir, that I could do 
for you personally which I would not do ; but I cannot tell 
how our people would receive you, or your testimony ; but 
I do believe that the God in whom you confess you believe 
would himself help you upon a confession of himself, as 
he did your father Abraham of old ; but without this I 
cannot give you one word of comfort ; and can only repeat 
what I said to you before, remitting neither jot nor tittle 
of what I am persuaded is the requirement of God from 
every Jew who is convinced of the truth of the Messiah's 
having come into the world in the person of Jesus Christ.' 

" He wept, and was strongly affected ; and made me 
deeply feel for him too : and in this state of mind he left 
me ; but I never saw him afterward. And thus I believe 
it is with many Jews in the present day ; but they will not 
give up the world, and, like their father Abraham, leave 
all, trusting for all solely from God. And O, my dear 
friend," continued the venerable man, " there is no true 
conversion but where the heart is given to God, and is 
determined to do his will at all times, under all circum- 
stances, and at all hazards." 

The winter of this year Mr. Moore passed enjoying a 
great measure of good health ; and continued to improve 



18i2-Age91. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



377 



and occupy his time by the study of the Holy Scriptures, 
and reading religious books. The old divinity of the 
schoolmen he perused with deep interest, saying, " You 
have not to wade through labored pages to find original 
thinking. Such books as these men wrote," pointing to 
Dean Delaney's Historical Account of the Life and Reign 
of David, King of Israel, which he was perusing, " are 
like the strong meat used by the strong men of the good 
olden time. Learning and books were formerly more 
scarce; but, generally speaking, they were of greater 
erudition. Book making, properly so called, is of modern 
invention ; and is growing, I fear, to an injurious excess, 
as the depth of mind does not appear to keep pace with 
the light speculative thinkings of our modern book makers." 
Dean Delaney's work entitled Revelation Examined with 
Candor is also one of great merit. 

In the spring of the year 1842 Mr. Moore attended one 
of the sittings of the London district meeting ; and was 
received by his brethren with the most affectionate, respect- 
ful attention, which he frequently afterward mentioned with 
lively interest, detailing each little incident with gratified re- 
membrance : for his love of Methodism never declined, his 
interest for its prosperity never abated ; while at the same 
time he was zealous for its spirituality, and for its earnest 
simple zeal in winning souls for Christ. 

In the summer of the same year the Wesleyan Con- 
ference was held in London ; and some of Mr. Moore's 
friends were anxious that he should show himself once 
more among his brethren, and urged him much to comply 
with their wishes in this respect. He consented that the 
Rev. Jacob Stanley, junior, should accompany him there ; 
and a suitable wheeled chair was accordingly provided, and 
the venerable man was thus conveyed into the City Road 
chapel. A reverential and kindly feeling seemed to animate 
his brethren when so esteemed a father of their body was 



378 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1842-^91. 



thus personally present among them ; and without any 
apparent difficulty the chair and its occupant were borne 
along to the raised platform, and, being lifted upon it, was 
placed next to the president's chair. Mr. Moore did not 
speak, but remained about two hours, and then with mutual 
good feeling he retired from the assembly as he had entered 
it ; but afterward expressed the pleasure he had felt in 
having been permitted the opportunity of seeing so many 
of his brethren, and in secretly imploring for them, and 
the body of Christians they represented, the blessing of 
Almighty God upon themselves, their congregations, and 
the work of God as carried on by their instrumentality. 
He continued to express his Christian brotherhood and 
sympathy with them ; but added, " I cannot now help on 
the ark except by pouring out my soul in prayer for it to 
the great Head of the church." 

• To some of his brethren who called upon him during 
the sitting of the conference, and who kindly expressed 
their pleasure in seeing him look so well, he said, " I thank 
you, I am well ; but I am the Lord's prisoner, and wait his 
will. I have nothing to do but to die." Then, clasping 
his hands and looking up, he again repeated, " I have 
nothing to do but to die :" and this duty did indeed appear 
to be his only business ; and to prepare for it his chief care. 

As the excessive heat of the weather abated, Mr. Moore 
appeared to gather increased strength and animation ; but 
his powers of locomotion did not return. His time he 
chiefly occupied in reading the Bible and theological works, 
giving his judgment upon them with a clearness and terse- 
ness for which he was ever distinguished. 

To a friend calling in, and seeing the October number 
of the Wesley an Methodist Magazine for 1 842 lying on the 
table, it was remarked, " Have you, sir, read this ?" pointing 
to the memoir of Mr. J. E. Brown, written by his father, the 
Rev. John Brown. " O yes, I read it as well as I could 



1843r-Agc91. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



379 



for my tears ; for I read and wept, and wept and read. I 
wept for the parents ; I wept for the young man, cut off in 
the prime of youth and intellectual and literary distinction: 
and I scarcely know whether to commend the grace of 
God most in the youth's holy resignation to the will of 
God, or the faith and submissive piety of his excellent 
and judicious parents. 0 what it must have cost their 
hearts to have given their Isaac back to God ! In all such 
cases reasoning is vain and sinful : all left for us is sub- 
mission ; and our only language should be, ' It is God, let 
him do as seemeth him good, for he alone knoweth the end 
from the beginning.' " 

In prayer, pious reflection, and devotional reading, Mr. 
Moore continued to pass his time, till it brought him again 
to the anniversary of his natal day, December 21st, 1842, 
when he entered upon the ninety-second year of his age. 
Some of his intimate friends visited him on the occasion, 
and he appeared cheerful and happy in their society. He 
conversed freely, and dwelt much upon the kind care of 
Almighty God over him all the days of his life. Then, 
turning to a friend, he said, " Read that letter which I 
have received this morning. How well and kindly it is 
expressed! Read it aloud to me, if you please." Which 
upon being done, he remarked, " I have still friends by the 
way, more than I know of. Well, we shall by and by, 
I hope, arrive, 

' Where all the ships' company meet, 
Who sail'd with the Saviour beneath ; 
With shouting each other they greet, 
And triumph o'er trouble and death.' " 

It was asked, " Does not the expectation of mutual re- 
cognition often give you, in your solitary musings, pleasure 
and animating hope ? You must almost antedate that day 
even while here." Mr. Moore replied, " It does : and it 
cheers my heart while I wait the will of my heavenly 



380 LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 18i2-Age 91. 

Father ; and the thought of Jesus, and of being with him, 
softens my heart, while I am led out in praise to him for 
his boundless love to me, and to a lost world !" 

Then again referring to the letter which had been read 
to him, he said, " I should like to thank Mr. G. J. Stevenson, 
of Great Yarmouth, for his letter, but I do not like to trouble 
you to Avrite for me." This objection being at once prac- 
tically overruled, he dictated a reply, and after expressing 
his thanks to Mr. Stevenson for his letter, with a desire to 
see him should he visit London during his lifetime, he 
dictated the subjoined : — 

" Live to God yourself, for I can speak well of him : 
He has been a good and a faithful God to me all the days of 
my life. Live to and for his glory, and do good as you get 
good. I was in the visions of the night, preaching to an 
attentive congregation, but I forget my text :" turning to 
his friendly amanuensis, he added, " One of the number in 
the congregation was yourself : the subject matter was, 
' Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith — prove your 
own selves.' "With best wishes, I am, with sincere love, 
" Your very affectionate brother, 

" H. Moore." 

Which signature he made with his own hand, in testi- 
mony of the pleasure the letter had given him. 

In the course of the day he remarked, " How singular 
it would be if I should die to-day ! The thought of it has 
much dwelt upon my mind ; but I am in my heavenly Fa- 
ther's hand, and among my friends on earth; if I die, I shall 
then go to join my friends above. Lord, thy will be done." 

In this quiescent state of mind Mr. Moore continued 
month after month, amusing himself by reading, mixed 
with occasional communion with his intimate friends ; when 
he ever had some anecdote or matter of interest to illustrate 
the subject of general converse. 



l&M-Age 92. 



LIFE OP HENRY MOORE. 



381 



BOOK IX. 

NINETY-FIRST BIRTHDAY. DEATH, AND CHARACTER, 
[1843—1844.] 

However retired Mr. Moore was in his habits, he never 
seemed to lose his personal interest and sympathy in the 
general events of life. Generally, he read The Times 
newspaper for an hour, and sympathized with his fellow- 
man in the great history of human life and events. His 
observations were often very acute, and his judgment ap- 
peared to suffer no decay in reference to the subjects which 
presented themselves to his consideration. 

The political affairs in India during the year 1843 
claimed his deep interest, and he was fully of opinion that 
God in his providence was opening up there a highway 
for his gospel, as he had done before in the virtual de- 
struction of the Mohammedan power, by the success of 
the British arms and policy, in Egypt. The submission 
of China to British influence and intercourse, Mr. Moore 
regarded as one of the most remarkable signs of the times, 
and so evidently arising from the almost palpable overruling 
of divine providence, for the spread of the gospel, and the 
extension of the knowledge of God over all the earth, that 
he thought no human efforts should be spared to send forth 
the word of life, and missionaries, to proclaim it throughout 
the whole length and breadth of that long impenetrably 
shut up empire ! 

Schools, too, he also regarded as of the next highest 
importance ; and after dwelling for some time on these 
subjects, the tears of Christian benevolence would begin 
to flow from his eyes, and raising his hands and looking 
up, he supplicated God to carry on his own mighty opera- 
tions in the earth. Sometimes he would then fall back 



382 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1843- Age 92. 



upon the past, and contrast the present enlightenment of 
England with those days which even he had seen, when 
the word of God was comparatively scarce, the preaching 
of that word equally so, and the opposition to the evangeli- 
cal proclaiming of it only the tocsin for profaneness and 
misrule. 

When to these great movements abroad was added the 
ecclesiastical movement in Scotland, Mr. Moore was most 
deeply interested, and argued from it the great revival of 
pure energetic Christianity throughout that country. 

It was remarked by Mr. Moore's friends, that except 
when called out by the occasional unexpected visit of a 
friend, he spoke less generally than he had used to do, 
and that his hearing became more difficult : but he suffered 
from no real pain, enjoyed his food, and slept well at night, 
and frequently in the day, especially after a little reading ; 
so that there was little exhaustion of physical strength, 
and consequently his bow thus abode longer in its strength. 

As however, one after another of his personal friends 
preceded him to the tomb, he would feelingly remark, 
" that it was almost painful for him thus to see himself 
survive the comparatively young and strong:" this feeling 
was especially called out on the death of his very faithful 
friend, and frequent visitor, Robert Huchinson, Esquire, 
whose short illness and unexpected death he mourned 
very sincerely, saying, " It seemed as if he had outlived 
not only his generation, but the kindly friendships of the next, 
— and that he should have but comparatively few personal 
friends to welcome to celestial bliss ;" but he would add, 
" O what a company are there before me ! I can sometimes 
scarcely bear the thought, it overwhelms my weakness ; 
but when I reflect that I shall see Jesus, my Jesus, as he 
is, face to face ; and God, my reconciled God through 
him ; my soul is humbled, but confident in hope, a hope 
full of blissful immortality !" 



1843-^92, LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



383 



Ta a friend who one day brought in some books selected 
at a book-stall, he said, " These are very good works 
indeed, and in good condition : that," pointing to one, " is 
by one of the ablest French writers of his day, and will 
do in whole and part for your young people ; this is a book 
of the schools—mere Pythagorean theology — but as a 
scholar your son should have it." On being asked by his 
friend, "What do you think I gave for them V he guessed 
more than double the amount, and when he was told the 
real sum, he smiled and said, " I know nothing of these 
modern prices, they are all unlike what they used to be : 
to me it seems more like giving them, than paying for 
them : no wonder knowledge, cultivation, and refinement, 
are spreading on every hand. Formerly, a man had a 
great thing when he had a few good books ; now, a man 
must have many, in order to deem it anything : book mak- 
ing has increased in the full proportion to other modern 
inventions : formerly it was thought a great thing to be an 
author, and few became such till after many years of deep 
thinking ; now, after reading many modern productions, I 
should say, people think less, but write more." 

It has been noticed, that Mr. Moore was the eldest of his 
family ; but his sisters were by this time, like himself, in a 
good old age, though a few years younger. His eldest sis- 
ter, Mrs. Tims, of Dublin, had been in a declining state of 
health for some time ; she was residing with her son, Mr. 
R. M. Tims, who, with his sister, tenderly watched over 
the health of their venerable parent, and ministered in 
every way to the comfort of her declining years. Their 
filial task was now come to an end ; for in a note written 
by Mr. Tims to his uncle, he says : — 

" It has pleased Almighty God to remove from this world 
my beloved mother : she died this morning, June 7th, 1843, 
at six o'clock. For the last few days she had evidently 



384 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1843-^92. 



been growing weaker and weaker in body ; but her spirit 
was strong in its hold upon God her Saviour. For more 
than half a century she was distinguished for her quiet 
religious life, and her walk of faith, amid all the varied 
cares and vicissitudes of life. Vividly does my mind now 
call to remembrance her pious instructions from my infant 
days, and her entreaties that I would follow the s Saviour, 
Christ the Lord :' and by her holy example she led the 
way, ever being distinguished by her steadfastness of pur- 
pose and aim to glorify God ; and she took up and main- 
tained her Christian profession when it was not only a 
despised, but a persecuted profession. As the tabernacle 
in which her spirit dwelt was being gradually taken down, 
all was calmness and an humble waiting till her change 
came, in the full hope and firm assurance of a blissful im- 
mortality. She spoke constantly of you, and of all your 
brotherly kindnesses, and with much affection, to the last ; 
and then so easily, and without pain or sickness, gave up 
her spirit, that we scarcely perceived the summons for 
which she had been so calmly waiting had been sent, and 
that she had entered into her heavenly rest. My poor sis- 
ter has been to her the best of daughters. But why should 
we sorrow ? Her death to us has been eternal life to her- 
self. Jesus wept at the grave of his friend Lazarus, and 
so may we at that of our dear mother ; and when she 
rises may we rise with her to life eternal, through the 
merits of the same Jesus Christ our Saviour. I am, my 
dear uncle, 

" Your affectionate nephew, 

"Richard Moore Tims." 

Mr. Moore was much affected when he learned the ac- 
count of his sister's death, and in fond remembrance 
dwelt upon her many excellences, and referred at the same 
time to his own probable speedy following her to glory. 



1843-^92. HFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



385 



But the angel of death had yet a previous summons to his 
house ; for another sister, Mrs. Dugdale, widow of Bennet 
Dugdale, Esquire, of the city of Dublin, had expired ex- 
actly six days after the death of her sister, Mrs. Tims ; 
which event it was supposed had tended to hasten her 
death. Mrs. Dugdale had also devoted her long life's 
energies to the service of God ; and like her sister, so 
calmly resigned her happy spirit into the hands of her 
heavenly Father, that it was almost literally felt, " She is 
not dead, but sleepeth." Her record is on high ; but her 
life of faith and love is left for an ensample to those, who, 
it is believed, are following their sainted parents to heaven. 

That Mr. Moore felt this double bereavement as a loud 
call to himself, is evident ; for when he instructed his niece, 
Miss Rutherford, to reply to the last note, announcing the 
death of Mrs. Dugdale, he added, " The next letter which 
you write, Jane, will most probably be, to tell my friends 
that I am gone !" This he uttered with the utmost calm- 
ness, and more as a matter of course than of anxiety. To 
a friend present he expressed his conviction, that " he held 
his life but at each moment's tenure ;" and when he saw 
a tear start, he replied to it, " Yours is desirable every 
way ; I am God's prisoner, waiting for my release, but in 
his own good time ; I am content to abide it, but, by his 
infinite mercy, I wait in hope till my change come." 
Seeing the infant son of his friend, John Finch Smith, 
who had approached his knee, he looked at him with start- 
ing tears, and said, " How beautiful is infancy, how beau- 
tiful !" and stooping, kissed the child's forehead ; then 
placing his hand upon his head, and looking up to heaven, 
he thrice blessed the boy ! When thus " the good man 
yields his breath," 'tis like the incense of the soul's best 
breathing, — felt, but with a power beyond the voice of 
language. May such breathing be had in everlasting 
remembrance ! 

17 



386 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 92. 



A friend calling upon Mr. Moore early in the month of 
September, found him alone, but apparently inclined for 
conversation, which turned upon the passing events of the 
day ; the visit of our queen to France, and the right royal 
assembly there ; and he expressed a hope that " the event 
would prove a lasting bond of union between the two 
countries." 

Seeing an article on " auricular confession" lying on 
his table, it naturally led to a conversation on the progress 
of the tractarian dogmas and the hydra-headed Church of 
Rome, in her varied modes of proselyting, proving her to 
be in spirit essentially as active an aggressive church now, 
as she had been in almost any period of her history. 

His friend then asked Mr. Moore whether he had 
finished reading the Rev. Dr. Croly's work on the Apo- 
calypse of St. John. He replied, " Not quite ; but I wish 
to keep it till I have finished the whole, as I am much 
interested in the work." " Think you, sir," it was sub- 
joined, " that the doctor has made out his point ?" Mr. 
Moore replied, " I believe no man can do so, till the whole 
revelation is finished : but, right or wrong, Dr. Croly is a 
most extraordinary man. I never read anything equal to 
his strictures generally, and his illustrations and remarks 
upon the French revolution struck me wonderfully : he 
thinks strongly and originally, and when I have finished 
his work on the Apocalypse, I will thank you to lend me 
also his Three Cycles ; perhaps I shall be able to judge 
better of that work : at any rate it will please me, should 
I live, to read more of the learned doctor's writings ; but Pa- 
pacy owes him little gratitude ; he handles it with a giant's 
grasp, but, at the same time, it is that of an antagonist." 

Mr. Moore then conversed on the loss he had recently 
personally sustained by the death of his kind friend, Mrs. 
Hunter, of Islington, adding, " She was always the same, 
and ever most attentive. She was a good Christian, a 



1843-^e 92. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



387 



good wife, a good mother ; and I have proved her to have 
been a steady friend. Surgeon Hunter has called upon me 
since his loss, and my heart felt for his heart, for I, too, 
have known what it is to part with the love of my youth." 
Here the venerable old man wept the tears of fond remem- 
brance, as well as those of friendly sympathy. 

That Mr. Moore continued to enjoy the full and free use 
of his understanding, appears not only from his varied 
conversations, but from his intellectual readings. A friend 
calling one morning, found him deeply engaged in com- 
paring the Greek and Latin New Testaments, published by 
Professor John Leusden, in Amsterdam, in 1698, as it 
there stands in parallel lines, and comparing it with our 
present authorized English version, and critically with Mr. 
Wesley's Notes on the text. " Is not this too much for 
you, sir?" it was observed; " will it not make your head 
ache ?" " O no, it amuses me ; you know I have time for 
it, and I must think, — and this kind of thinking suits me 
best." It was continued : " Have we not, think you, sir, 
learning enough in England to go over this ground again, 
and to form even a better translation than our present 
authorized one ? Yet I see the attempt would be sur- 
rounded with difficulties." Mr. Moore observed, " All 
innovations touching important matters are attended by 
difficulties, — and in a new translation and version of the 
Holy Scriptures they would be of a very serious nature ; 
the infidel and the skeptic would not fail to deduce, from 
such a measure, ground for their own disbelief ; and what 
we have is sufficiently clear on all essential points for a 
correct understanding of the mind and will of God in Christ 
Jesus concerning us. More than we have, is rather for 
the scholar than the Christian." Mr. Moore then pointed 
out the Douay translation, remarking upon it very freely. 

These observations led to others, respecting the sup- 
posed progress making in England in favor of the Roman 



388 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1 843-^4 ge 92. 



Catholic religion, its ostensible extension, and the more 
under current of its influence: he then observed, "Your 
remarks put me in mind of an anecdote told me when I 
was a young man, by a very respectable and religious 
gentleman, who vouched to me for its accuracy, and I 
make no question of his veracity. 

" Early in the seventeenth century, a man appeared in 
the city of Dublin, who took a cobbler's stall, and labored 
on at his vocation with great industry and personal credit 
for three years : he professed himself to be a Roman Ca- 
tholic, and as party spirit at this period ran high between 
the Romanists and Protestants, he suffered, on this account, 
much persecution. After working on in this way three 
years, he suddenly made known that it was revealed to 
him from heaven, ' That the whole people of Ireland 
should come back to the Roman Catholic Church;' and 
as a proof of the validity of this divine intimation, he said, 
' God had given to him the power of reading the Holy 
Scriptures in all written known languages.' The fame of 
this miracle soon spread, for such it was confessed it must 
be, considering the man's calling. Report and fame breathed 
it through the city of Dublin, and the learned men, and men 
of might, hastened to him with the varied-tongued Scrip- 
tures, for the purpose of ascertaining, by proof, the truth of 
this assumption : the Greek, Latin, continental and eastern 
languages, were poured upon him, and he read them all, 
and all men marveled ! At length a gentleman called at 
his stall, and inquired of him relative to the extraordinary 
account he had heard respecting ' the divine intimation,' 
addressing him thus, ' And so, my friend, God has enabled 
you to read and interpret the Holy Scriptures in all known 
tongues.' ' He has, sir,' was the confident reply. The 
interrogator, turning to a gentleman who had accompanied 
him, said, ' Give me that Bible which you have.' He 
then presented it to the cobbler, saying, ' Here, sir, is a 



1843-4g-e92. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



389 



Bible in an accredited spoken tongue ; have the goodness 
to read me a portion of it.' The cobbler looked at it for 
some time, and then, returning it, said, ' I cannot read 
that;' upon which the gentleman expressed his surprise, 
considering the unconditional pledge which he had given, 
' to read the Holy Scriptures in all known tongues ;' and 
then he severely remonstrated with him for having failed 
in his averment, having staked thereupon such solemn and 
important results, and branded him as an impostor. The 
cobbler heard him in silence ; but when he had finished 
speaking, he looked earnestly in the gentleman's face, 
saying, ' And pray, sir, what may your name be V The 
gentleman, smiling, said, ' They call me Archbishop King.' 
' O,' said the ci-devant cobbler, ' his holiness warned me 
against you.' The cobbler's stall was immediately deserted, 
and the Jesuit priest, for such he proved to be, was seen 
no more in Ireland !" 

Continuing the train of conversation, it was asked, 
" What do you think, sir, of our national obligation, rela- 
tive to the support of the college of Maynooth?" " Nothing 
at all," replied Mr. Moore ; " it is a mistake to suppose 
that it made any part in the stipulations of the union : it 
originated during my time, and I remember it well. At 
the period of the French revolution, the convention seized 
upon the Netherlands, where the parish priests were edu- 
cated for their own country; and because the establishment 
stoutly opposed the God of reason, which the convention 
had set up, they broke up the establishment altogether, and 
the members of it fled to their native country. In this 
extremity they sent a requisition to England, entreating 
that they might be allowed to settle in Ireland as a college, 
and requesting from the parliament a grant of money to 
enable them to support this establishment. The English 
parliament yielded them a yearly allowance, and they' 
settled at Maynooth, but merely on an annual grant, and on 



390 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1843-Age 92. 



mere sufferance. The college may now return to the 
Netherlands ; for since the Irish priests have been educated 
in their own country, they have deteriorated. Besides, I 
am of opinion, no Protestant country ought to support a 
system of religion, not only contrary, but opposed to their 
own, professing another faith, and owning another head. 
The Church of Rome is altogether a visible church, and 
has a visible God : he is seen in their sanctuary, not in 
the spirit, but in the letter ; he pardons by his vicegerents 
(and they are everywhere to be met with) all degrees of 
sin : the Romish Church is founded on those very things 
which God has expressly said shall be abolished ; namely, 
■ the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of 
life.' But," added Mr. Moore, " I not only object to a 
national grant for the ministers of a church at variance 
with our own established church ; but remember, my dear 
friend, though we have universities for the educating and 
training of our own clergy, it is still at a most serious 
personal cost to themselves ; and that, too, in very numer- 
ous cases is felt to be so great, that young men, who would 
do honor to their clerical calling, are not able to bear the 
cost of a university education ! Then why, since we do not 
thus defray the expense of training our own priests, should 
we train and pay the expenses of a set of priests who 
neither submit to our ecclesiastical government, nor even 
believe it to be available for the soul's salvation ? I wonder 
these very facts do not of themselves operate to annihilate 
the grant to the college of Maynooth." 

In the course of the evening Mr. Moore made some 
kindly remarks relative to his friend, J. K. SutclifTe, Esq., 
observing, " How happy I am in having all my chief human 
concerns so encircled within my most intimate friendships. 
In the legal professional skill of Mr. Sutcliffe I have the 
utmost confidence : I have for many years followed it, 
and have never had to regret my implicit trust in it. For 



1$43-Age 92. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



391 



my health, I look to our good friend Mr. Hunter, under 
God, and when his skill fails for its restoration, I will look 
no further, for then I believe God will have said, ' Come 
up higher.' O the mercies of my God, through Christ 
Jesus my Lord !" 

Since Mr. Moore's last attack of paralysis, he had never 
been able to visit his friends at Stoke Newington ; but on 
the anniversaries of his birthdays, they made it a point to 
visit him, accompanied by one or other of the little ones. 

For children in general Mr. Moore had a peculiar 
kindness, evinced not merely by the ordinary endearments 
of social life, but he especially regarded them as the future 
carriers on of the work and knowledge of God in the earth ; 
and in speaking to, and of them, he impressed the import- 
ance of their early good conduct upon themselves in 
familiar discourse ; — and to those over them, dwelling on 
the vast importance of their being diligently and carefully 
trained mentally, morally, and socially, as well as on the 
duty of their being early disciplined in the nurture and 
admonition of the Lord; in order to their being better 
qualified to become, by the continued influence of his 
Holy Spirit, the fitter agents for carrying out his truth in 
the world, till the whole earth shall be filled with the 
knowledge of the one true God, and of his Son, Jesus 
Christ our Lord. 

On the 21st of December, 1843, his Newington friend, 
accompanied by her younger son, again visited Mr. Moore : 
he smiled as he held out his left hand, replying to her 
kindly salutation, " Yes, still here, — the Lord's prisoner, 
and while I am his, it matters little where I am ; I am 
content to abide his will, for he has given me power to 
feel : ' Lord, thy will be done !' " When the child drew 
near him, he said, " Why, this is my friend Rosevear; for, 
though much grown, I trace in him still the strong resem- 
blance to his grandfather, both in face and form :" then 



392 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



\843-Age92. 



drawing him to his embrace he said, " Rosevear, you did 
not know your grandfather, but my blessing on you is, that 
you may follow him as he followed Christ, and may you 
be as useful among men as he was wise to win souls :" 
then placing his hand upon his head, Mr. Moore pro- 
nounced, " God bless you, my noble boy, — may he guard 
you amidst the snares of life, and make your pathway 
useful like his, whom you resemble." Then turning with 
tearful eyes to his mother, he added, " Your boy moves 
me ; see how frank he looks ; the infant face of human inno- 
cence redeemed by the blood of Jesus : but he looks as if 
he would live to attain years of human responsibility. O 
guard him, my friend, and rear him for God." 

The post arriving, brought Mr. Moore letters ; one, from 
his greatly-esteemed friend, the Rev. Mr. Jacob Stanley, 
congratulating him on the well-remembered anniversary 
of his birthday ; and upon its being read to him, he 
evinced the most cordial pleasure. 

He then requested his friend to open and read another 
letter, which was from Mr. G. J. Stevenson, of Yarmouth, 
to the same purpose. After its perusal, Mr. Moore re- 
marked, " I have still friends by the way whom I scarcely 
knew of, but the thought and feeling are pleasant : I should 
like to reply, will you once again be my right hand ?" He 
then dictated the following lines, expressive of the pious 
thinkings of his own mind : — 

Brunswick-place, City Road, December 21, 1843. 
Dear Sir, — I thank you for your letter, and the kind 
wishes it expresses. My mind has lately dwelt much 
upon that passage, ' Thanks be to God for his unspeakable 
gift.' Unspeakable, but not unfelt, by those who love our 
Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Yea, blessed be God for 
his unspeakable gift, the gift of Jesus Christ for man's re- 
demption. May you know it in its utmost saving power !" 



1843-^e92. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



393 



Having dictated thus much, Mr. Moore was exhausted, 
and sunk into a sweetly-refreshing and reviving sleep : on 
awaking from which his mind seemed to have been dwelling 
on the past, and he feelingly remarked upon the death of 
his friends, Mr. Robert Huchinson and Mrs. Hunter, ob- 
serving that " the circle of his intimate friends was very 
sensibly narrowing ; the familiar face once seen on these 
occasions was now no more :" but he added, " The remem- 
brance of their friendly kindnesses I love to dwell upon ; 
and to remind myself that ' I shall go to them, though 
they will not return to me.' " 

During the day, a daughter of the venerable Rev. 
Richard Reece called to see Mr. Moore, to whom he spoke 
in terms of great kindness : he inquired particularly re- 
specting Mr. Reece and each member of the family. Before 
taking her leave, Mrs. Drieu signified her wish that Mr. 
Moore would bless her two children. This being intimated 
to him, he closed his eyes, and leaning forward, resting his 
elbow upon the table, with his hand as usual elevated, he 
emphatically pronounced, " May the blessing of God the 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, rest upon these children ; 
guide them in infinite mercy through life, and at length 
receive them and their parents into life everlasting. 
Amen f" Then, extending his hand to Mrs. Drieu, he 
added, " Give my love to your husband ; and tell your 
children I have prayed for them." 

After tea, Mr. Moore was unusually animated ; and with 
his esteemed friends, Mr. William Gandy and Mr. and 
Mrs. Richard Smith, he maintained for three hours an 
interesting converse on many topics, interspersed with 
anecdotes of by-gone days and events. His friends left 
him at eight o'clock, and he passed the succeeding night 
very quietly. 

On the following morning he rose as usual ; but when 
his niece, Miss Rutherford, went into his room, her watchful 
17* 



394 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



\U2-Age 92. 



care perceived an alteration in his look ; and on inquiry he 
complained of a pain in his head, and was anxious to reach 
the sitting room. His attendant being called, this was, 
with some difficulty, accomplished ; but when seated in his 
chair, Miss Rutherford again anxiously inquired how he 
was, when Mr. Moore calmly replied, " I have had some 
sort of a fit. I cannot sit up, let me recline." His medical 
adviser, Mr. Hunter, was immediately sent for, who ordered 
him directly to bed again ; and all that could be done was 
done in his case to relieve, and to protract life. 

For several days after the seizure Mr. Moore appeared 
to have lost his sight: he remained in a dozing state, and 
said but little ; replying to inquiries, " that he felt no pain, 
only uneasiness." On the 26th, as his friends, Mr. and 
Mrs. Smith, stood by his bedside, he bade them kindly 
welcome. On the former remarking, " Well, sir, you now 
feel that you are on the right foundation, Jesus Christ," 
he replied with firmness, " I am : I am." On quoting to 
him the promise of God, " I will never leave thee nor 
forsake thee," he rejoined, " In the original it is very 
strong, having three negatives used to express its full 
meaning." It was remarked, " When my flesh and my 
heart fail, God is the strength of my heart, and my portion 
for ever." Mr. Moore took up the feeling, and replied, 
" Yes, and that is all that is wanted : enough for the present, 
enough for the future ; and I have it." The conversation 
continued, "When a sinner comes to die, what can he do 
without Christ ?" Mr. Moore promptly replied, " Nothing 
at all." " But you, sir, have the faith which lays hold 
upon Christ." With much energy he replied, " Yes ; and 
faith is next to sight. My confidence in God is strong : it 
is a glorious confidence." It was added, " Then, sir, all 
you have to do is expressed in the lines, 

' Then let me catch a smile from Thee, 
And drop into eternity !' " 



1843-^92. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



395 



The good man eagerly replied, " But I have the smile : I 
have it." Feeling so much of spiritual strength, Mr. Moore 
was anxious to rise ; but on its being represented to him that 
it would not be well for him to make the attempt, he said, 
" Well, if you think so, I am content to lie here." On his 
pillow being arranged by his niece, he appeared revived, 
and smiling, said, " That is my kind, good nurse : thank 
you, dear." 

During prayer, Mr. Moore responded to -its several 
petitions with deep feeling ; and gave his blessing to his 
friends at parting. 

The early part of the following day he slept much, and 
at times so heavily that Miss Rutherford thought it might 
be the sleep of death. During this interval, the Rev. John 
M'Owan called, but would not have him aroused. Later 
in the day, his friend, Mr. Gandy, called, accompanied by 
his son ; and as he drew near and spoke, Mr. Moore im- 
mediately recognized his well-known voice, and spoke in 
holy confidence of his abiding peace ; and on his taking 
leave, he blessed his son, and sent his love and blessing 
to his wife, and to each of the members of his family. 

In the evening, Mr. Moore considerably revived ; and 
two of his esteemed friends visited him again : one of whom 
asked, " Do you know us, sir ?" He smiled, and said, " O 
yes, I know you," repeating the names. It was then re- 
marked, " You are now, sir, brought into circumstances to 
test that love and power of God which you have for so 
many years proclaimed to hundreds and to thousands." 
" I am." " And you can still testify of His love and faith- 
fulness, and have no doubt on your mind that he is loving 
and gracious to all, and that by the grace of God he tasted 
death for every man ?" Mr. Moore energetically replied, 
" I have no doubt, none at all. I have no more doubt of 
his having tasted death for every man, than I have of his 
having made every man. As surely as he made them all, 



396 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



1843-Age 92. 



he died for them all ; for he assumed human nature in 
whole, as well as in part ; and, as John Godwin said, ' He 
must reprobate part of himself to have left out any in his 
infinite sacrifice.' " It being subjoined, " Do you think, sir, 
that the doctrine of the witness and the divine influence of 
the Holy Spirit is sufficiently insisted upon in the gene- 
rality of preaching ?" Mr. Moore said, " I think not. If it 
were insisted upon more from the pulpit, the people would 
pray for it more, believe for it more, and possess it more : 
it would be every way better." 

Again it was inquired, " Do you think that we shall know 
each other in heaven ?" He replied, " Yes, I believe it ; 
for all intellectual knowledge will there be increased, and 
if we should not know each other then, it would be les- 
sened : but there our knowledge will be more perfect, and 
our resurrection body will probably have the nearest re- 
semblance that a spiritual body can have to the natural 
body. But in what its identity will consist, is left to be 
revealed by the light of eternity." " Have you lately, sir, 
turned your thoughts to the subject of the ministry of 
angels ?" it was inquired. He instantly subjoined, — 

" ' Angels our servants are, 

And keep in all our ways, 
And in their hands they bear 
The sacred sons of grace.' 

O yes, they take the deepest interest in redeemed man : 
we shall know all that too, in eternity." 

Mr. Moore passed the greater part of the next day in 
dozing, but again in the evening revived. His Newington 
friends going again into his room, he bade them welcome. 
It being remarked, " We meet again, sir ; and you are still 
happy," he rejoined, " Yes, looking unto Jesus." To the 
further observation, " Religion is a blessing, not only as 
it regards this life, but as it secures to us immortal felicity," 
he replied, " It is my sheet anchor." " Which will outride 



1843-^e92. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



397 



the storms of life ;" " Yes,* and the storms of death too," 
he added. On its being mentioned that there was an ac- 
count in that day's paper of the death of Mr. John Morri- 
son, the great Chinese scholar, Mr. Moore was affected, 
observing, " But it is the will of God. One is taken, the 
other left : I in age, he in youth. But He does all things 
well ; and to trace these mysteries of Providence will, by 
and by, heighten the joys of heaven." 

In the evening, the Rev. William Arthur called ; and on 
his observing to the venerable man, " You now, sir, feel 
the value of the religion you have for so long preached to 
others," Mr. Moore replied, " Yes, I do." It was quoted, 
* God is love." Mr. Moore added, " And Christ has died." 
It was continued, " If, sir, you had your life to begin again, 
would you wish to devote it to any other pursuit than that 
of preaching the gospel ?" To which he replied, " No, to 
none other at all. Preaching the gospel is the best thing 
a man can do ; as Mr. Cecil said to his son, ' To preach 
the gospel is the very best business in the world ; but to 
trade in the gospel is the very worst.' " 

The president of the conference (Rev. J. Scott) calling 
upon Mr. Moore, addressed him thus : " I trust, sir, you 
feel your soul resting upon the Rock of ages ?" He replied, 
" I do, I do. He is the healer of the breach, and has done 
everything for sinful man." "And you, sir," it was con- 
tinued, " have proved his goodness for many, many years." 
" I have ; and he does not now lose sight of his poor 
servant." At another time, the Rev. John M'Owan calling, 
said, " After many years spent in your Master's service, 
you still feel, sir, your need of the cross of Christ as much 
as when you first fled to it ?" Mr. Moore replied, " I do : 
it is the blood of Christ which cleanseth us from sin." 
It was continued, " What a blessed prospect there is held 
out to the sincere believer in redemption, and the blessed 
company of the redeemed?" The good man repeated, 



398 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



ISU-Age 93. 



" Yes, the blessed company of the redeemed. I could say 
many things to you, but I have not strength." But he 
ejaculated, " O the Redeemer, the Redeemer !" 

Mr. Moore said but little on the following day (December 
twenty-ninth ;) but he spoke a few kind words to those 
friends who came to look in upon him, rather than with 
the expectation of hearing him converse. In the evening 
of the next day, the time when he w-as generally most re- 
vived, his friends from Stoke Newington again entered his 
chamber, when Miss Rutherford said, " Here are your old 
friends come again to see you." He smiled, held out his 
hand, and said, " Yes ; my old friends." He then became 
abstracted, and appeared to be going on with a previous 
train of reflection, saying aloud, " What a wondrous scheme 
was that of human redemption ! God manifested in the 
flesh : nothing less than the Almighty mind could have 
conceived the plan ; and it required an Almighty mind to 
sustain the plan, and to realize it in man's salvation : the 
whole work is God's." Replying to his observation, as 
Mr. Moore ceased speaking, it was said, " May you, sir, 
in his own good time, have an abundant entrance into his 
glory." " A full tide," was his quick rejoinder. Miss 
Rutherford then adjusted his pillows ; when he said, with 
much sweetness, " Thank you, Jane : I am surprised at 
your patience." 

January 3. The venerable Rev. Joseph Sutcliffe called 
to see his friend ; and on coming to his bedside, when he 
understood who it was, he smiled, and expressed much 
pleasure in seeing him. To Mr. SutclifTe's observation, 
" Well, my friend and brother, we can both say, Hitherto 
the Lord hath helped us, and he will help us through," 
Mr. Moore confidently assented ; and it was subjoined, 
" We have both lived beyond our fourscore years ; and the 
pillar and the cloud have directed, and guided, and guarded 
us all our life's journeyings :" to which observation he 



18ii- Age 93. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



399 



replied, " For our life is hid with Christ in God." Another 
old friend called the same day, the Rev. Seth Morris, who, 
addressing Mr. Moore, said, " You now find, sir, that God 
is your strong-hold." He replied, " Yes ; and Christ my 
all in all." 

On the following day, as a friend drew near his bed, he 
observed, " You are very welcome. Is all well at home ? 
I have no pain. God makes all my bed in my sickness." 
On its being asked, " Can I do anything for you, sir V 
"Anything!" he replied, "no, my love. Nothing remains 
to be done but to live to God ; but I joy in your willingness 
to help me, more than in a gift." It was added, " You, sir, 
have been spared in life, while my brother Theodoret, who 
was perfectly well when you were taken ill, is now no 
more ! Do you remember him ?" " 0 yes, perfectly. He 
was always kind and attentive to me. Blessed be God he 
has gained the port." Shortly afterward, Mr. Moore wan- 
dered, or else talked to himself, evidently speaking as if 
he were addressing the great congregation : then, sinking 
his head a little, he called to his niece, and said, " Jane, 
send to Mr. Scott, and tell him he must take care of the 
circuit, for I am no longer able to do the work." In the 
course of the evening, he exclaimed, as if engaged in super- 
human converse, " Let me go, let me go — I am under the 
power of the mercy seat." 

The day following, Mr. Moore was found quite collected, 
and on Mr. Richard Smith saying, "We have known 
each other upward of thirty years," he replied with ener- 
gy, " And have loved all the time, and we shall love each 
other through eternity." It was then observed, " During 
your public ministry, one of the subjects on which you 
frequently discoursed was, ' God forbid that I should glory 
save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ :' " to which he 
replied, " And it is my only glory still." " And you find, 
sir, that the religion of the cross is no cunningly-devised 



400 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 1814- Age 93. 



fable ?" " 0 no," answered the venerable man, " or it would 
have ended as all fables do ; on the contrary, my confi- 
dence, and its consolations, abound more and more." 

January 6. In the forenoon of this day Mr. Moore broke 
out into singing : 

" Praise God from whom all blessings flow," 

desiring his niece to assist him to sing that doxology, 
which he did himself with much animation. He then 
asked his niece to read to him the Gospels, and lessons for 
the day, which request being complied with, he seemed 
anxious to get up. On its being represented to him that he 
was unable to do so, he replied, " But I have work to do :" 
Miss Rutherford observed, " 0 no, uncle, your work is 
done, you have nothing now to do but to be passive in the 
hands of God :" he bowed his head in meek assent. 

On Mrs. John Stamp going to his bedside, she said, " I 
am writing, sir, to my mother, where your sister, Mrs. 
William Myles, is at present : have you any message for 
her ?" " Only to send my love, and to say I am just waiting 
till my change come." Thus quietly did this good man 
possess his spirit day after day, conversing but little, yet 
always that little was expressive of the firmness of his soul, 
and of that holy reliance upon God, which alike charac- 
terized the tenor of his religious life, and was in unison 
with his mental temperament. 

January 8. Mr. Moore was visited by his friend Mr. 
William Gandy, to whom he extended his hand, saying, 
" The Saviour is always with me, I have a continued 
sense of my adoption." Upon Mr. Gandy's reminding his 
venerated friend of the promise of Christ to his disciples, 
" I will come again and receive you to myself," his coun- 
tenance instantly depicted the joy of his heart, as he re- 
plied, " Yes, that is the end of all, I will receive you to 
myself." His friend added, " In Thy presence is fullness 



1844-4ge93. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



401 



of joy, and at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore." 
Looking kindly and intensely at Mr. Gandy, while his 
eyes reflected the divine impression on his soul, Mr. 
Moore replied, " O yes, these are precious texts, precious 
promises !" 

The Rev. William Clegg and the Rev. John Smith 
called and prayed with the dying man, but he had been 
exhausted by many callers, so he said little, but thanked 
them for their friendly visit. 

January 10. On a friend inquiring, " Do you feel your- 
self tolerable this evening, sir ?" Mr. Moore replied, " Yes, 
tolerable, — that is a good word to use." To the further 
observation, " What a mercy it is that in your extreme 
weakness you have such a God to go to ?" he replied 
promptly, " I have him always with me, and that is better 
still." 

His niece, Mrs. Dickenson, having come up to town to 
assist her sister in her watchful care over their venerated 
uncle and friend, he seemed to derive comfort from the 
assurance that the division of active solicitude for his 
comfort was kindly soothing to the minds of his nieces, 
and to have one or other of them constantly by him when 
awake was evidently a source of gratification to himself. 

January 14. On Mrs. Dickenson saying, " My husband 
desires his love to you, uncle, and wishes you to give him 
your blessing," he raised his hand, and said, " May the 
blessing of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with 
and upon him now and for ever :" he then requested his 
nieces to join him in singing a hymn, and afterward ex- 
pressed, in detached sentences, the devout and earnest 
desire of his heart, that God would sanctify him wholly, 
body, soul, and spirit. 

January 17. He expressed much pleasure in seeing his 
friend Mr. Richard Smith, and his son Frederick. On 
inquiring how he felt himself, he said, " Very weak in- 



402 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



93. 



deed :" when it was subjoined, " This is not your rest, ym 
have a house above, and can say, 

1 There is my house, my portion fair,' " 

Mr. Moore continued, 

" My treasure and my heart are there, 
And my abiding home :" 

Mr. Smith added, 

" For me my elder brethren stay :" 

when, with great animation, Mr. Moore concluded, 

" And angels beckon me away, 
And Jesus bids me come." 

To all human appearance, the curtains of his earthly 
tabernacle were falling, and glimpses of an eternal day 
were beaming in upon his human spirit ! It is grand to see 
the Christian break away from the shackles of mortality, 
and, in the full tide of mental vigor, entering upon the be- 
atitudes of an eternal day, saying, " I have fought a good 
fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith : 
henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, 
which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that 
day : and not to me only, but unto all them also that love 
his appearing." 2 Timothy iv, 7, 8. 

If the trial of faith be precious, it is surely a goodly 
sight to witness the enduring patience of the long-tried 
Christian, the days of watching, the nights of wearisome- 
ness and waking, which draw so largely both upon faith 
and hope, as well as upon all the human sympathies ! 

Such were appointed to the subject of these memoirs, 
and in patience he possessed his soul. 

January 23. Mr. Moore revived a little, but was sensi- 
bly weaker. On a friend repeating to him the following 
verse : — 



18U-Age 93. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



403 



" Where pure essential joy is found, 

The Lord's redeem'd their heads shall raise ; 
With everlasting gladness crown'd, 
And fill'd with love, and lost in praise 

he replied, " And that is all in all ; and by and by I shall 
inherit that heavenly glory." 

January 25. On a friend visiting Mr. Moore, and remark- 
ing, " Great peace have all they who love Thy law, and 
nothing shall offend them ;" he replied, " Nor should they 
give offense." It was observed, " Your confidence, sir, is 
strong in God." " It is strong," he replied, " strong in 
God, in God manifested in the flesh." His freedom from 
pain was ever noticed by him with expressions of unmin- 
gled gratitude to Almighty God, and he was thus enabled 
to keep his mind alive to those vast contemplations which 
a dying saint has, in the near view of the haven of eternal 
rest. 

Jan. 28. Mr. Gandy, on entering the room unperceived, 
found the venerable man in earnest prayer, in which, while 
pouring out his soul before God in thanksgiving and praise, 
he still spoke as feeling himself before God, as " a man 
who is a worm, and the son of man who is a worm." 

February 2. As Mr. Moore's Newington friends drew 
near his bed, he expressed his pleasure at meeting again 
on earth. He then inquired anxiously respecting the state 
trials in Ireland, and the character of the queen's speech. 
Mr. Smith observed, "that the speech from the throne 
dwelt much on the amicable relations which subsisted be- 
tween the European powers, and the probability of a uni- 
versal peace : this human peace," it was continued, " in 
all its vast blessings, we can understand and appreciate ; 
but the peace of God passeth all understanding." " Yes," 
replied the venerable man, "because it is the peace of 
God, an infinite peace, and therefore it is beyond human 
understanding ; and how infinite and great that salvation 



404 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



18U-Age 93. 



must be, was seen in the garden of Gethsemane, in the 
agony of the God-man : and the value of man's salvation 
is learned from our Lord's prayer in the garden, £ If it be 
possible let this cup pass from me ;' but it passed not, be- 
cause God willed man's redemption, though it was at the 
price of giving up to agony and death his well-beloved 
Son P With increased fervency he then exclaimed, " 0 the 
love of God, and the atoning sacrifice of Jesus for us men, 
and for our salvation !" 

February 8. Mr. Moore was increasingly feeble in body, 
but much composed in spirit. On one of his friends ask- 
ing him how he felt himself, he replied, "As well, my 
dear, as a dying man can expect to be :" " Wearisome 
days, sir, are appointed unto you, but they are by divine 
permission :" "I know it, and therefore in submission I 
bow myself to God, and by his grace, and faith in him, I 
am content and thankful : but my weariness is exquisite ; 
in his own good time I shall exchange it for heavenly rest." 

Feb. 18. Mr. Richard Smith and Mr. Gandymet at the 
house of their venerated friend ; but his increased feeble- 
ness allowed of but little conversation. He smiled benig- 
nantly upon both ; but the strong man was bowing himself, 
and the curtains of mortality were thickening on this side 
his spirit, but all on the other was light, life, and holy 
assurance ; heaven dawning upon his soul in glimpses of 
glory. On his friends drawing near his bed he ex- 
claimed, — 

" I the chief of sinners am, 
But Jesus died for me." 

" And," continued the happy man, "I am as much con- 
vinced of the one as I am of the other, Jesus died for me." 
" Yes, sir," it was replied, " you have not built your house 
upon the sand :" " No, I have not, and hence, though the 
rains descended, the floods came, the winds blew, and 



lSHr-Age 93. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE, 



405 



beat upon it, it has stood, for it stands on the rock Christ 
Jesus." 

February 24. Mr. Moore was perceived by his friend, 
Mrs. Richard Smith, to be considerably weaker, and on 
the inquiry, " How do you feel yourself to-day, sir V he 
replied, " I am very poorly :" " In pain, sir ?" " Yes, my 
dear, and feebleness extreme ; but all is well. Can you tell 
me any good news of God in the earth ?" " I have rather 
been occupied with what may be termed bad news, sir, 
for I yesterday had a visit from my friend, the widow of 
Robert Morrison, of China." " How was she ?" anxiously 
inquired the good man ; " she must have suffered much 
from her recent bereavement." " Yes, sir, and she is much 
cast down in spirit ; for not only does she feel individually, 
but her personal residence in that country, besides her 
being the widow of the late excellent Dr. Morrison, has 
endeared the best interests of China to her, and she feels 
that the death of Mr. John Morrison will be both a reli- 
gious and a moral loss to that country : he was disposed 
and anxious to further all religious exertions for the spread 
of pure gospel truth throughout that vast empire, and every 
missionary of like mind would have found in him a friend 
and patron : in the midst of his days he has been cut off, 
and when, humanly speaking, his services appeared to have 
been most wanted, and likely to have been the most avail- 
ing." " Be not uneasy, my dear," replied the venerable 
man, " God's kingdom must be established, and shall ap- 
pear on earth, as it was sung to earth, ' Glory to God in 
the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.' 
God is a wonder-working God, and when he thus suffers 
man's aid to be cut off, he makes bare his own arm : he 
has done so in every period of the history of his church, 
and he can and will still work out the most suitable plans 
for the religious benefit of China : he best knows which 
these are, for he knows the end from the beginning." 



406 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



mi-Age 93. 



The following day was the sabbath, when Mr. Moore 
inquired of his nieces if they had been to chapel : Mrs. 
Dickenson replied, " The weather had not at all permitted 
of their going, but that they had read a sermon of Mr. 
Wesley's." " What was the text ?" he inquired. " There 
is, therefore, now no condemnation to those who are in 
Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the 
Spirit," Romans viii, 1. "And this, uncle," added Mrs. 
Dickenson, " is your experience." " Yes, I have no con- 
demnation, because I am in Jesus." 

March 5. Mr. Gandy found his venerated friend very 
feeble, but quite collected : to his kind inquiries he re- 
plied, " I am trusting in the Lord, and he graciously per- 
mits me to do so." On remarking, " You are now, sir, 
called to suffer the will of God::" " Yes," answered the 
good man, " and he gives me the patience which my 
affliction requires : I am waiting till my change come : ' I 
know that my Redeemer liveth.' " Before Mr. Gandy left, 
Mr. Moore requested him to pray with him, in which holy 
exercise he joined most fervently ; and while responding 
to the several petitions and thanksgivings, it was evident 
that his own spirit was resting itself upon a God near, and 
not afar off. 

March 15. Mrs. Richard Smith visited her dying 
friend ; and to his inquiry after the health of her husband 
and children, it was subjoined, " As I came out, sir, half a 
dozen little voices screamed out, ' Give my love to Mr. 
Moore.' " He sweetly smiled, asked God to bless them, and 
said, " Give my love, my hearty love, to the dear children : 
tell them I sent it with my blessing. I am glad to see 
you, for I feel very poorly, but I stay myself upon the 
Lord, my soul is stayed on my God." After a little while 
he evidently wandered, speaking as if some of his departed 
brethren in the ministry were still in the church militant, 
and instructing Miss Rutherford to inform them of his re- 



lUi-Age 93. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



407 



moval directly it took place. But his time was not yet 
come to "go up higher." 

March 17. He was again found by his friend increas- 
ingly feeble. Wishing to interest his feelings, she spoke 
of a letter she had just received from their friend, Mrs. 
Brackenbury, of Raithby Hall, containing kind inquiries 
respecting him : to which he smilingly replied, " It is 
very kind of her to remember me, and very pleasant to 
have the good wishes and prayers of God's people ; at the 
footstool of divine mercy God's servants meet here, but 
shortly we shall all meet before his throne in heaven : 
give my respectful love to her, and say I feel that ' truly 
our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus 
Christ.' " 

In the letter referred to, Mrs. Brackenbury observes, 
n Our venerable friend, Mr. Moore, is a rare instance of 
the strength of human mind : the inroads of time on the 
external man have sapped it to the very foundation : me- 
mory, too, is stricken, otherwise it would be curious to 
trace the defiance of mind when in contact with matter, 
and as contending for its own superiority : detached from 
the incrustation in which it is enveloped, it knows nothing 
of infirmity or decay ; so that the enfeebled, disabled Henry 
Moore, will soon open out again into all the freshness and 
vigor of youthful vitality !" 

When we are thus called to see a spiritual and expan- 
sive mind thus hemmed in by its mundane infirmities, 
how soul-reviving it is to be enabled confidently to look 
beyond this scene of things, and to feel that it is about to 
expand for ever in a region where infirmity can never 
enter ; and to bask in the sunshine of eternal intellectual 
progression ! • 

The shadows of mortality continued to grow increasingly 
dim between Mr. Moore and the objects which surrounded 
him ; and thus to shut up his spirit to a state none can 



408 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE, 



18U-Age92> 



explain : for God hath not revealed whether, when this 
world is receding from the mental perception, the spirit, 
while loosening from earth, is not holding a nearer and 
more sensible communion with that world to which it is 
approaching. 

Amid the glimpses of perfect consciousness which 
marked the decline of his life, the same abiding confidence 
in God characterized the whole tenor of his expressions, 
and the evident experience of his souL The visits of his 
friends were numerous ; but he was frequently either 
asleep, or too unconscious to enter into any remarks. That 
his frame of mind was unchanged, though his apprehension 
was slower, was fully perceived by those around him, who 
could catch occasionally part of a sentence, or half-uttered 
prayer : but physically, he was gradually, but surely sink- 
ing to the " house appointed for ail the living." 

The Rev. Robert Wood called, and offered up by Mr. 
Moore the most pious aspirations to Almighty God for the 
spiritual consolations of the venerable man : he was too 
weak then to speak, but he afterward expressed that his 
spirit was pleased and soothed by the holy exercise. 

March 30. Mr. Gandy called, and after some conversa- 
tion, he inquired of his venerated friend, " If he was ever 
assaulted by Satan, the great adversary of souls 1" He 
replied, " My peace is continual and unbroken by any 
temptation ;" adding, with raised hand, " The best of all 
is, God is with us." 

On the 2d of April his ^Jewington friends found him, 
though weak, perfectly conscious. He expressed pleasure 
at seeing them, observing to their inquiries respecting his 
health, "All the days of my appointed time will I wait till 
my change come." It was continued, "And during that 
time, sir, you have seen much of the goodness of the Lord 
in the land of the living." He emphatically replied, " I 
have, I have." " And at its close, sir, you can say with 



93. LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



409 



Gregory Lopez, 1 all is bright beyond.' " Yes, just so," 
said the venerable saint, and smiling, held up his ema- 
ciated hand. Seeing but indistinctly others standing by 
his bedside, he asked, " Who are those ?" It was replied, 
" Two of our children, who wished to look upon you again." 
He held out his hand, and kissed them, saying, " God bless 
you ; be good — I hope you are good : live so as to live for 
ever !" Addressing Mr. Smith he said, " Pray with me :" 
to whose supplications and thanksgivings he responded 
with much emphasis, and his whole soul appeared to be 
attuned to the holy exercise. 

Such glimpses of perfect spiritual consciousness were 
like " songs in the night," pleasant and grateful to the 
hearts of his friends, who saw him silently sinking amidst 
much suffering from physical exhaustion. 

April 8. Mr. Moore greeted Mr. Gandy with much 
affection, saying, with deep feeling, " It is very kind of 
you to come so often to see me in my affliction :" he then 
poured out his soul in prayer that God would bless him- 
self, his wife, and his children. After a short pause, he 
raised his hand as high as he could lift it, exclaiming with 
the venerable Wesley, 

" I the chief of sinners am, 
But Jesus died for me j , 

adding, with indescribable sweetness, " I am as sure of 
the one as I am of the other, ' Jesus died for me.' " 
During the day he continued perfectly conscious, and his 
countenance was almost radiant with peace. Grasping the 
hand of Mr. Richard Smith, as he approached him, he 
repeatedly expressed his delight at seeing him ; and on 
taking his leave he said, " Give my hearty love to your 
wife, and tell her I am happy, — tell her all is right." 

April 12. On inquiries being made of Mr. Moore's 
nieces, relative to their afflicted uncle, they said, he had 
18 



410 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



18U-Age 9& 



been apparently much in mental prayer, and they had 
heard occasional half-sentences, all expressive of his holy 
confidence in God. During the earlier part of the night, 
he had called them severally, saying, " Live to God, 
there is nothing else worth living for, he is an eternal 
portion." 

For several days he remained in this perfectly-com- 
posed, happy state, and his spirit appeared so calm and 
buoyant, that some of his friends almost wondered that he 
physically lingered here, while it seemed to have ascended 
above by holy communion. 

April 23. Mr. Moore was exceedingly feeble, and appa- 
rently just sinking into the grave : he was scarcely able 
to speak, but as one of his friends stooped over him and 
pronounced, " May the peace of God the Father, Son, and 
Holy Ghost be with you — Amen ;" he said firmly, " I 
have that." 

During the afternoon Mr. Gandy called, but found that 
he could not converse, but smiling, and holding out his 
hand, he said, " I am very weak, and patience is having 
in me her perfect work." 

The following day, as his Newington friends approached 
his bedside, he alternately grasped their hands and smiled 
benignantly: shortly afterward, on Mr. Smith rising to 
depart, he feebly, but affectionately, said, " I cannot part 
with you yet:" but again soon sunk into silent uncon- 
sciousness, and his whole countenance and manner plainly 
said, " There is but a step between me and death." 

His attentive friends, Mr. G. Howden and Mrs. Randel, 
visited him ; but utterance appeared to be lost, and he was 
apparently unconscious of those around him. 

In the afternoon the Rev. John M'Owan, and his brother, 
the Rev. Peter M'Owan, who had just come to town to 
attend the Wesleyan missionary meetings, visited Mr. 
Moore, for the purpose of administering to him the holy 



lB44r-Age 93. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



411 



sacrament ; but he had sunk into a state of apparent uncon- 
sciousness, which forbad the administration of the holy- 
rite. On Mr. P. M'Owan drawing near the venerable 
man, he having been much attached to him, a momentary 
gleam of joy almost irradiated his countenance, and he 
put out his hand and smiled, — and sunk again, and then 
again smiled. 

Mr. P. M'Owan evidently felt much on seeing his 
esteemed friend thus circumstanced, after several years of 
mutual separation, and stooping over him, said, " For my 
continued life, sir, many years ago, you besought the throne 
of the heavenly grace, and your prayer was heard, and I 
believe, in consequence of it, God has lengthened out my 
days ; shall I now pray with you, sir ?" He feebly re- 
plied, " Yes, do ;" and then again relapsed into seeming 
unconsciousness. Mr. P. M'Owan then piously and feel- 
ingly poured out his soul unto God for his blessing on, and 
his support of, his servant as he passed the waters of 
Jordan, to the very brink of which he appeared to have 
come. On rising from prayer, where were bowed at the 
bedside all the friends present, and regarding the aged 
servant of God as he lay, just about to finish the work 
and the will of God in his earthly course, Mr. John 
M'Owan said, " He looks like the sun in his most calmly 
beautiful evening setting !" A more appropriate metaphor 
could not have been used to express to his friends the 
scene before them. 

On retiring from the chamber where the good man was 
ready to meet his fate, Mr. M'Owan said, turning to his 
affectionate relatives, " Should Mr. Moore revive, and 
wish for the holy sacrament ; or if prayer would be accept- 
able to him, send for me any hour, day or night, and I will 
with pleasure come to you immediately." 

The same day his relative, Mr. Joseph Dickenson, 
arrived from Leeds, and on stooping over his dying friend, 



412 LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. lSU-Age 93. 



he Said, " Do you know me, sir ?" He kindly smiled, and 
put out his hand, while a tear told of transient remem- 
brance perhaps, but of the kindnesses also of those days 
when the house of these his affectionate relatives was his 
occasional happy home. To witness these gleams of 
remembrance was cheering to those friends who watched 
beside his bed, anxious to trace the conscious detention 
of the mind, as well as of the life, till both should ascend 
together to the paradise of God ! 

April 24. The Rev. J. M'Owan called, but Mr. Moore 
did not recognize him : later in the day his Newington 
friends saw him : his articulation was interrupted, but he 
smiled, and his whole countenance and manner were 
expressive of calm, holy joy. 

April 25. Several intimate friends made their inquiries 
respecting the departing saint, and had the melancholy 
satisfaction of seeing the dying man of God : this did not 
at all disturb him, as his mind was shut out from almost 
all sensible objects, and his physical strength was gradu- 
ally sinking. 

During the night, while his nieces and attendants were 
sitting by his bedside, he distinctly exclaimed, "Happy, 
happy !" Miss Rutherford asked, " Are you happy, uncle V 
He firmly grasped her hand, and said, " Yes, happy !" 

April 26. Mrs. Richard Smith did not leave Mr. Moore's 
chamber till ten at night ; but during the whole day he did 
not appear to have had any human remembrances. 

Early on the afternoon of the following day, Mr. Richard 
Smith called at Brunswick-place, where he met Mr. Gandy, 
who had also been anxious to hear how their venerable 
friend had passed the night; when they learned from Mrs. 
Dickenson and Miss Rutherford, who had sat by his side 
during its whole course, that in the early part of it he had 
been very restless : about the middle watch he became 
perfectly still, and the dew of death began to gather on his 



18U-Age 93. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



413 



brow. On perceiving that he breathed with increased 
difficulty, Miss Rutherford, bending over him, said, " You 
are in the valley, uncle ; but Christ is with you." The 
gesture of his head and the motion of his lips replied, 
"Yes;" but articulation failed him. His respiration be- 
came increasingly shorter and fainter, till at half-past seven 
o'clock the weary wheels of life stood still, and, without a 
sigh, his spirit sprang forth into the paradise of God ! 

Thus lived, and thus died, the Rev, Henry Moore, the 
eventful period of whose life's history was, in connection 
with that section of the church of God to which he was 
united, beset with difficulties which serve both as landmarks 
and beacons to those who come after ; but amid all varying 
circumstances, he appears to have kept his own mind in 
much self-possession. 

The evidence of his conversion to God is not less clear, 
than that it was wrought in his soul almost without the 
intervention of human agency — by the light and guidance of 
that Holy Spirit which takes of the things of God and shows 
them unto us. He followed his divine Teacher, and was led 
into the way of truth and safety ; and from thenceforth he 
was habitually regulated by integrity of purpose, and the 
desire to get good, in order to do good to his fellow-man. 

When Mr. Moore was but a junior son in the gospel, 
the Rev. John Wesley treated him not only as an esteemed 
friend, but as a counselor, on many important matters con- 
nected with himself and the great work in which he was 
engaged ; and in dying Mr. Wesley left him one of his 
executors for the control and management of his manu- 
scripts, which was in itself an important trust, involving as 
it necessarily did the confidential and extensive corres- 
pondence of the great founder of Methodism ; and at the 
same time was no inconsiderable eulogium on Mr. Moore's 
integrity and judgment. 



414 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



93- 



As a preacher he was solemn and impressive. Con- 
densed and solemn thinking spoke in his ministry, rather 
than an extensive range of thought or imagery. On open- 
ing the Bible, he ever appeared to be engaged in prayer 
that God would acquaint him with the meaning of his 
written word, in order that he might " be his mouth unto 
the people." 

His sermons, though not brilliant, were nervous, and left 
on the mind of the hearers an impressive conviction of the 
value, and of the necessity, of personal and inward religion. 

In powers of conversation he excelled most men. His 
fund of anecdote was considerable : they were the result 
of observation, or the treasured sayings and doings of the 
great and good men with whom, during his singularly-pro- 
tracted life, it was his happiness to have been known : 
they were never of a light or insignificant character ; and 
were generally communicated in order to bear their moral 
upon the conversation, or the company present : they 
were invariably wisely chosen, and ever well told. 

His memory was excellent ; and his reading, though not 
extensive, was of the most solid character, and mentally 
extremely well digested. 

The habitual manners of Mr. Moore were courteous : 
from all species of affectation his whole mind revolted. 
To young persons he was the cheerful friend as well as 
the wise mentor. His friendships partook of the solidity 
of his mental character : they were blended in kindly 
sympathies, and maintained by much Christian forbearance. 

Resolute in opinion, and firm in its maintenance, he 
yielded not but to conviction, either to any man, to any 
point in theology, or on any subject of Christian church 
discipline. That he was not always right is certain. 
" To err is human ; to forgive divine." Of the one he 
necessarily partook ; of the other he was the blessed 
recipient. 



1844-^93. 



LIFE OF HENRY MOORE. 



415 



In stature Mr. Moore was of the middle size, but was 
firm and manly in his deportment, and could not be passed 
casually as a man of no consideration ; for in person and 
countenance there was an expression of intelligence and 
mental dignity quite uncommon. His voice, though not 
loud, was strong ; and his mouth seemed peculiarly formed 
for conversation, and was at the same time remarkably 
handsome. 

At times he evinced much natural wit, and a playful 
sarcasm, the terseness of which struck instantly home 
upon the subject of it, giving it thus its chief import and 
piquancy ; but while he thus occasionally reproved, he 
never trifled with the feelings of another. 

After a long life spent in much active interest taken in 
the passing concernments connected with God's visible 
church, he was ultimately laid aside from all practical 
duty by the affliction of paralysis, which nearly took away 
the use of his right side. Hitherto he had been called to 
do the will of God ; and to his ready mind it was a delight 
to be employed in helping the ark of God to its final 
resting place. 

But the scene was eventually changed, and he was called 
in much solitary retirement to suffer the will of God ; but 
his bow still abode in strength : he murmured not ; he knew 
the rod, and Him who had appointed it. The God in 
whom he had so long trusted, disappointed him not in his 
hope; his sun grew broader and brighter at its setting; 
and at length, in the full confidence of a blissful immor- 
tality, he calmly resigned his breath and his spirit into the 
bosom of his father God : while of all such men the Spirit 
saith unto the churches, " Write, Blessed are the dead 
which die in the Lord from henceforth : Yea, saith the 
Spirit, that they may rest from their labors ; and their 
works do follow them." 



INDEX. 



Abandonment of his classical school Page 57 

Abba, Father, Mr. Moore's happy experience of 334 

Account of his first circuit 60 

of a battle scene 265 

Accident, occasioned by taking vitriol for paregoric 361 

Addison's lines on the Existence of God, quoted 28 

Admitted a member of the Methodist society 42 

Address to the societies, with the regulations made at Leeds.. 172 

of the conference to King George III 198 

Affliction, Marquis de Renty's beautiful remark on bearing 246, 295 

Agitations in the societies occasioned by Mr. Wesley's death. .. 109 

extraordinaiy sermon suggested from these troubles .. 110 

Album at Woodstock, epigram quoted from the 220 

America, Dr. Coke sent over to 95 

Mr. Moore requested to labor in 95 

preachers ordained for, and sent out to 133 

American Independence, effects of, in England 133 

Anecdotes : — Of an old military pensioner 59 

Of a Popish priest, after performing mass 75 

Of an intelligent Irish smith 77 

Papal tyranny over the poor people in Ireland 93 

Of the French Revolution 255 

Dr. Chalmers' views of the extent of the atonement 311 

Mr. Moore's objections to receive the sacrament 335 

Mr. Wesley and the earl of Huntingdon 347 

Mr. Wesley, Mr. Rankin, and young preachers 363 

Mr. Wesley's attachment to one who contradicted him. 363 

Mr. Wesley and Mrs. Hall, concerning discipline 369 

Extraordinary stratagem of a Jesuit priest 388 

Annual Register, for 1811, Mrs. Tighe's poems quoted in the . 276 

Anson, Lord, munificent conduct of, to a naval hero 266 

Apostolic preaching, good effects of, noticed 331 

Apples made a means of restoring health 70 

Arthur, William, visit to Mr. Moore 397 

Austerities, severe bodily, practiced by Mr. Moore 54 

Awful punishment of a drunken sailor 101 

Band meetings, enjoyment from attending the 44 

Barber's, John, notice of Mr. Pawson's death 215 

Bath, peculiar settlement of the chapel at 107 

waters, restoring influence of the, on Mrs. Moore's health 257 

Baxter, Richard, quotation from, on faith and love 311 

Beaver, Elizabeth, notice of 71 

18* 



418 INDEX. 

Being of a God, consolation arising from the Page 28 

Benson, Joseph, his sermon on schism noticed 141 

preaches Dr. Whitehead's funeral sermon 208 

Bereavement, a letter concerning 217 

Birmingham, first conference held there 344 

Blachford, Rev. J., constituted librarian of St. Patrick's Library 162 

Rev. J., premature death of. 163 

Mrs., an early friend of Mr. Moore 162 

exemplary conduct of, in training her children . 164 

benevolent pursuits of 166 

melancholy voyage of, to Anglesea . 195 

kindness and anxiety manifested for her children 200 

account of her residence at Chelsea 209 

reply of, to Mr. Moore's critique on Psyche 214 

illness of her daughter Mary 209, 218-226 

flattered hopes of her children when young 226 

Mr. Moore's last visit to 286 

last letter, and anticipated death of 287 

Miss, anecdote of the illness, conversion, and death of 221 

Mary, translation of a prefatory sonnet by 234 

Books, tracts, &c, of Mr. Wesley, how and to whom left 119 

Book concerns, the Wesleyan, to be managed by the conference 176 

Books, thoughts on the character and prices of 383 

Brackenbury, R. C, Esq., letter of 280 

Mrs., gift of £100 for the distressed in Ireland . 304 

characteristic notice of Mr. Moore 407 

Bradburn, S., his lay appearance in the pulpit a disappointment 25 

effects of his preaching on Mr. Moore 26 

Bradbum's, Miss, translation of an inscription 263 

Bramwell, William, separates from the Methodist society 310 

Bristol circuit, appointed to labor in the 103 

trustee disputes at 141 

Ebenezer chapel built at 144 

Broadmead chapel, disputes respecting the 142 

strange proceedings at the 143 

society's address to Mr. Moore 302 

Brooke, Henry, reference to the illness of 201 

interesting account of 202 

mention of, in suffering 215 

Brotherly love, the necessity of, discovered 40 

Brown, J. E., very interesting notice of 378 

Burkitt's Commentary, advantages derived from reading 21 

opinion respecting 40 

Calvin's system of religion, objections to 21 

" Call" to the work of the ministry 55 

Campbell, Bartholomew, extraordinary account of 72 

affecting and Christian conduct of 76 

Canons of the church, authority of the 137 

"Castle of Indolence," Thomson's, surpassed by "Psyche" 213 

C , Sir R., wild conduct, and miserable death of 89 

Capoquin, Waterford county, introduction of Methodism into. . &2 



INDEX. 



419 



Cecil's advice to his son concerning preaching Page 397 

Centenary fund, design of, and objections to the movement 354, 364 

Chalmers, Dr., strange religious tenet held by 311 

Character of men, letter concerning the 293 

Charlemount circuit, account of the 68 

deprivations of the early preachers in the — 69 

kind treatment of Mrs. Moore in the 69 

Chemists, a caution to 361 

Children, Mr. Moore's peculiar kindness for 391 

Christian fellowship earnestly desired 42 

perfection sought to be obtained by self-denial 87 

church, influence of the differences in the 336 

Christianity, discovers the character of 40 

a beautiful thought belonging to 235, 236 

Church hours, Mr. Wesley allowed no preaching in 132 

Circular issued by the conference on Alexander Kilham's case 160 

City Road chapel, peculiar settlement of the 104 

Civil war in Ireland, shocking details of 166 

Civil war, its evils exhibited 167 

Clarke, Dr. Adam, interesting notice of 102 

opinion of, on Dr. Whitehead's conduct 181 

shameful treatment of, by his brethren 184 

originates a plan for the preachers' annuity fund 189-192 

edits and publishes the Memoirs of Mrs. M. Cooper 246 

letter of, concerning Mrs. Moore's holy life 261 

founder of the Strangers' Friend Society 307 

death of, and funeral sermons, noticed 322 

Mr., appointed classical master of Kings wood school 183 

Mrs. Adam, interesting visits to 329, 333 

Theodoret Samuel, death of, noticed 399 

Cleghorn, Dr., address of, to the students of anatomy, quoted 267 

Clergyman, kindness of a, to Mrs. Moore 69 

Clones, introduction of Methodism into 59 

College life and examinations detailed 14 

Coleraine, excellent character of the inhabitants in 61 

commencement of Methodism in that place 63 

Collections, by whom distributed 151, 175 

Comfort of mind, arising from entire dependence on Christ 31 

Concessions of 1797, summary of the 171 

Mr. Moore's reasons for opposing the 170, 178 

Confession of a Popish priest 74 

Conference, business of the first, after Mr. Wesley's death 126 

Conversations respecting the doctrines of Methodism 37 

of Mr. Moore, peculiarities of the 347 

Conviction, that his manner of life tended toward death 17 

Conviction and sorrowing for sin 20 

and conversion, thoughts concerning 52 

Cork, appointment to labor in, by Mr. Wesley 88 

Cooper, Mrs. Mary, early and lamented death of 244 

Cowper, William, poet, observations on dreams 352 

Creighton, Rev. J., appointed editor of the Arminian Magazine 123 

Critical Scriptural knowledge, possessed little of, in early life. 36 



420 INDEX. 

Croly, Dr. George, notice of his works Page 386 

Crumlin, Mr., surgeon, usefulness of 83 

Daniel, Rev. Mr., kind proposal made by 13 

desire of Henry Moore to go to his school 15 

D'Arcy, Miss, translates Fletcher's & Wesley's Lives into French 356 
Daring rescue of prisoners, the night before appointed execution- 48 
Death of Rev. John Wesley witnessed by Mr. Moore 121 

Mr. Moore's feelings in reference to 295 

Debt, exemplary conduct showing the evils of 16 

Decision and firmness of character, the cause for, stated 130 

Deed of Declaration, history and object of the 105 

Deed Poll of Mr. Wesley, object contemplated by the 119 

Deism explained away, and a deist converted 372 

Delaney's, Dean, works, the valuable character of, stated 377 

Departures from established usage in the church, complained of 138 

Deptford circuit, appointment to 322 

Desire to retire from the world into a monastery 21 

to warn sinners to "flee from the wrath to come" 39 

Dickenson, Joseph, letters addressed to 291, 294 

affecting visit to his dying uncle 411 

Mrs., arrival of, in London, to wait upon her uncle 401 

Dinnen, John, trial and acquittal of 282 

Disappointment in procuring a house to commence business in 55 

Discipline, a subject much agitated hi the societies 132 

of the Methodists, a plain defense of 153 

Disputes and disaffection concerning Methodist discipline 170 

respecting the Theological Institution. 329 

Disobedience, God's punishment of - 338 

District meeting, a special, summoned at Bristol 143 

Doctrinal religion, the evil of, exhibited 319 

Doubt, darkness, and distrust, evils threatened to the societies 154 

Downpatrick, an attack on the Popish superstitions at 86 

Dream, soothing influence of a, on the mind 277 

Dreams, the cause, nature, and general influence of 352 

Drew's, Samuel, manuscript Life of Dr. Coke noticed 280 

Drieu, Mrs., a blessing pronounced on her two children 393 

Dugdale, Mrs. Bennet, death of 385 

Dunmanway, strange providential occurrences at 89 

Dying Christian, the, a grand subject for contemplation 402 

Early education, the prejudice of, to call works — faith 28 

Christians, the supposed condition of 30 

friendships, pleasing influence of, on the mind 161 

Methodist preachers and principles 331 

Methodism, anecdotes of 338 

" Earl of Moreland," history of that work 202 

Eccentiic clergyman, notice of an 58 

Editor of the Arminian Magazine, objections to becoming the 123 

Enlarged views of the love of God received 37 

Extraordinary occurrence at Kilmainham jail 47 

Popish severities enforced and practiced 72 



INDEX. 421 

Extraordinary discourse given during troublesome times Page 110 
Popish stratagem 388 

Faith in Christ, supposed strength of 27 

possesses great strength of 41 

and love, opinions concerning the union of 311 

Fairly, Mr., notices of 318 

Family prayer, benefit resulting from perseverance in 38 

Fasting, severe suffering endured by reason of 34 

Fears of committing himself to man 41 

Fellows of college, spiritual and temporal, duties of the 207 

Fellowships, account of, and examinations for 14 

" Feed my sheep," application of the passage 115 

Finances, new rule respecting 172 

Fire at Deptford, great danger from the 324 

Firmness of character, striking instance of the benefit of 341 

Fitzgerald, Lady Mary, inquiry respecting 225 

Lord Edward, imprisonment and death of 357 

Fletcher, Rev. John, respectful mention of 206, 209 

interesting account of a sermon by 337 

Mrs. Mary, short account and death of 288 

Life of, written and published 288, 355 

French Revolution, anecdote of the 255 

Friends, the society of, nature of the differences among the ... 336 

Friendships, sincerity and cordiality in, noticed 334 

Full sanctification, anxiety to possess 54 

Funeral sermons, Dr. Adam Clarke's objection to 322 

Gambold's lines on God's felt presence 33 

beautiful lines on death quoted 227 

Gayer, Mrs., account of 82 

conversion of, from a religious conversation 83 

Gandy, Mr. William, visits to Mr. Moore 393-412 

George III., attempt on the life of 197 

Gibson, William, death of, noticed 17 

Glass Lough, account of Mr. Moore's arrival there 71 

Glorying in the cross, a frequent subject of Mr. Moore's discourse 399 
" Gold and silver," no hinderance to the success of the gospel . 112 

Gospel, the, a striking instance of its freedom 143 

Gradin's, A., definition of the Greek for " full assurance of faith" 53 

Grave of Mrs. Tighe visited by Mrs. Hemans 235 

" Grave of a Poetess," poem, by Mrs. Hemans 236 

" Graves of a Household," Mr. Henry Tighe's translation of the 235 

Greatness of mind instanced in a confession 145 

Greek language, commences the study of 12 

Grindrod, Edmund, letter addressed to 344 

Hamilton, Dr., Mr. Knox's intimacy with 199 

Memoir of 264 

anecdote, and narrow escape of 269 

account of his family 270 

summary of the character of 273 



422 



INDEX. 



Hamilton, Dr., happy death of Page 274 

Hampson, John, extraordinary strength of 120 

abruptly leaves his circuit and the connection 121 

Hall's, S. C, "Ireland," quotation from 219 

Hanson, Miss, valuable notice of 243 

friendly association of, with Mr. Moore 257 

Hasty determination to preach in the streets, on the love of God 39 

Hayes, Mr., surgeon, Leeds, anecdote respecting 358 

Hemans, Mrs., Memorials of, by Chorley, quotation from 234 

interesting account of Woodstock, and Mrs. Hemy Tighe. 235 

description of Mrs. Tighe's tomb 235 

intense feelings of, on visiting this beautiful tomb 235 

" Grave of a Poetess," by 236 

Lines of, after visiting a tomb near Woodstock 238 

" Henry, Earl of Moreland," history of the work so entitled 202 

Hill, Mrs., notice of 325 

letter to Mrs. Moore 326 

Hind, Miss, short notice and marriage of 278 

Hind-street Methodist Chapel, singular early notice of 341 

Holdcroft, H. F., Esq., mention of 203 

Homer, a passage of, exemplified in a prison scene 48 

Hope and love, sanguine character of 209 

House of Refuge, established by Mrs. Blachford, 201 

interesting notices of the 242 

Howard, Mr., banker, of Dublin, distressing account of 222 

John, the celebrated philanthropist, anecdote of 289 

his manner of life and death 290 

Hutchinson, Robert, Esq., death of, noticed 382, 393 

Huggins, a Romanist, and condemned felon, notice of 46 

extraordinary conversion of, in prison 47 

happy death of, on the scaffold — solemn scene 47 

Huntingdon, earl of, interview with Mr. Wesley 347 

death of the 349 

Illness of Mr. Moore in Londonderry, &c 87, 381 

Mrs. Moore, Mrs Blachford's letter concerning the ^ 241 

Improvement of Mr. Moore in his art as carver 20 

Important occurrences in one night 35 

India and China, remarks on the political affairs in 381 

Infancy, religiously inclined from 20 

Insanity, strange fears respecting its approach 37 

Inscription on Mrs. Moore's tomb, and translation 262 

Institution, Theological, Mr. Moore's objection to the 329 

Introduction to the Continuation of the Life 117 

Irish Rebellion, shocking picture of the 166 

opposition to the Methodist sacraments 281 

societies, address of the conference to the 284 

extraordinary delusive prediction concerning the 388 

" Ireland," by S. C. Hall, quotation from 219 

Ireland, Mr. Moore's kind entertainment in 304 

Mrs. Brackenbury gives £100 for the distressed in 304 

Isaac, Daniel, notice of 293 



INDEX. 423 

Itinerant married life, trials of Page 68 

Itinerancy, Mr. Moore retires from the 325 

Jebb, Rev. John, correspondence of, with A. Knox, Esq... 162, 206 

Jews, the condition of, noticed — a narrative of facts 375 

Journal of Mr. Wesley, benefit derived from reading the 23 

Journey to his first circuit described ' 58 

to Ireland, notices of a 303 

Judgment (the last) Mr. Moore's letter concerning the 292 

Justification by faith, opposed and defended 370 

by works, exposed, and opposed to Scripture 374 

Kilham, Alexander, first notice of his trial and expulsion 108 

opposition to the " Plan of Pacification" 147 

address issued by 147 

charges against the preachers, &c, of Methodism 148 

designs of, exposed 153 

summary of his opposition 157 

trial of, in the conference, 158 

charges delivered to, by the late Dr. Adam Clarke 158 

trial of, closed, and he expelled from the society 159 

Knox, Alexander, Esq., Mr. Moore becomes acquainted with. . 60 

pamphlet by, on the Bristol disputes 145 

" Thirty Years' Correspondence with Bishop Jebb " 162 

Mr. Moore's great anxiety for 199 

interesting letter of, respecting Mr. Moore's early life .. 315 

first taught Lathi by Mark Davies 317 

Mr. and Mrs., account of the conversion of 62 

Mr., senior, religious character and integrity of 315, 318 

Kennedy, Mr., rule of, to reconcile parties at variance 318 

King, Archbishop, interesting anecdote of 389 

Lamentation over the sins of the world 38 

Latin premium received on second form 12 

Law, John, Life of, written by Mr. William Tighe 165 

Law's " Christian Perfection," usefulness of 250 

Laws and rules of Methodism in the conference of 1797 171 

Lay preachers, dislike to the appearance of 24 

regarded by Mr. Wesley as missionaries ]32 

Letters: Blachford, Mrs., describing the Irish Rebellion 166 

illness of her daughter 209, 212 

account of Mrs. Tighe's last days and death 226 

bodily effects of trials and illness 241 

a sketch of the changes in human life 275 

last written before her death 287 

Brack enbury's, R. C, Esq., 280 

Byng, Major-general, death of Capt. Hamilton 271 

Clarke's, Dr. Adam, about Dr. Whitehead's conduct... 182 

extraordinary proceedings against 183 

holy life and conduct of Mrs. Moore 261 

Dickenson, Joseph, to, on the last judgment 291 

on the character of men generally 293 



424 



INDEX. 



Letters: Dickenson, J., folly of reason, excellence of faith Page 294 

Entwisle, Joseph, eighty-ninth birthday 368 

Hill, Mrs., to Mrs. Moore 326 

Knox, Alexander, about Mr. Walker's pamphlet 205 

concerning Mr. Moore's Sermons and Life 314 

Mr. Moore's, condition of the Wesley papers 128 

defending the Preachers' Annuity Fund 193 

defense of Methodism 205 

character of the beautiful poem of " Psyche " 213 

to Mrs. Rutherford, at her husband's death 216 

reply to one announcing Mrs. Tighe's death 231 

on the death of Mrs. Mary Cooper 244 

announcing Mrs. Moore's happy death 247 

to Dr. Hamilton, account of Mrs. Moore's life .. . 248 

Irish Methodist opposition, and trials 282 

to Mr. R. Smith, on Mrs. Smith's death 295, 297 

to Miss Wesley 307 

to the President, respecting ordination 344 

to Mr. G. J. Stevenson, on his birthday 380 

to the last dictated by him 392 

to Rev. J. Beecham — the centenary movement.. 354 
to Miss D'Arcy — Mr. Wesley's Life in French. .. 356 

M'Owan, Peter, to Mr. Moore 349 

Pawson, John, concerning his burning the Wesley papers 180 

in defense of Dr. Whitehead 186 

Rutherford, Thomas, Kilham complaints 147 

Stanley, Jacob, illness of Mr. Moore 323 

Mr. Moore's eighty-ninth birthday 367 

Stewart, Lieutenant-general, death of Captain Hamilton 272 
Thompson, Wm., respecting Dr. Whitehead's conduct.. 129 

Thomas, Esq., to Mr. Moore 300 

Tims, Richard Moore, death of Mrs. Thus 383 

Wesley's, Mr., inviting Mr. Moore to England 101 

concerning Dr. Adam Clarke 102 

respect of, for Mrs. Blachford 163 

Miss Sarah, concerning Mrs. Moore's death 254 

to Mr. Moore 305 

Whitehead's, Dr., requesting to have the Wesley papers 125 

account of the Wesley papers 128 

to Mr. Moore from the society officers hi Bristol. . . 302, 308 

Life of Mr. Wesley, by Mr. Hampson 120 

Dr. Coke and Mr. Moore's proposed and published 124 

Dr. Adam Clarke's defense of the 124 

by Coke and Moore, large sale of 131 

Dr. Whitehead's, refused by the conference 131 

publication of the 179 

Mr. Moore's, published in two vols 304 

Lines to the Memory of the first Methodist Preachers 306 

Local preachers, new rules concerning the 174 

Locke, John, quotation from his Essay on Toleration 136 

London, first visit to, and friends in 15 

first appointment to ' 94 



INDEX- 425 

London circuit, extent of, and preachers in Page 94 

Londonderry, Mr. Moore's first circuit 58 

good effects of a tract circulated there 61 

second appointment to . 87 

society, opposition at 282 

invitation of Mr. Moore to 299 

notice of the origin of the society there 316 

Lopez, Gregory, mention of 365, 409 

" Lovest thou me," beautiful application of the passage Ill 

Mackintosh's, Sir James, opinion of the merits of Psyche 276 

Man, the three states of, pointed out in the Bible. 295 

Manners, John, success of his preaching 78 

Marriage (second) of Mr. Moore 278 

" Marriages are made in heaven," an opinion respecting .. . 169 

Marshes in Ireland, danger in passing the 86 

Mather, Alexander, opinion of, against hasty ordinations 140 

Maynooth College, sketch of the history of 389 

parliamentary grant to, exposed 390 

M'Burney, James, honorable mention of 60 

M'Kinley, Mr., jailor, conduct of, on the rescue of his prisoners 49 

M'Owan, Peter, illness and recovery of 349 

letter of, to Mr. Moore 349 

affecting visit of, to Mr. Moore 411 

John, beaiitiful figure descriptive of Mr. Moore's death 411 

Memory of Mr. Moore, great power of the 98 

Mental anguish for sin 26 

Metastasio, poem of, translated by Miss Blachford 234 

Methodist society, thoughts before joining the 41 

chapel, constantly attends at the — 41 

Methodists, not a separate people 197 

Dr. Hamilton's remarks concerning the 267 

Methodism, among dragoons 92 

had but one father 125 

Mezeron, last poem of Mrs. Tighe's, written at Woodstock 229 

Milner, Joseph, usefulness of, in Hull 223 

Miranda, the character of, Mrs. Blachford's aim 165 

Ministers and ministry, Mr. Wesley's views of the 330 

Ministerial labor, estimate and character of 301 

Missions, Scriptural rules respecting 371 

Missionary work preferred by Mr. Moore 95 

address of Mr. Moore 298 

Morrison, John, Esq., death of, noticed 397 

Mrs. Dr. Robert, anxiety of, on account of China 405 

Moore, T., Esq., stanzas by, to the memory of Mrs. Tighe 239 

Richard, father of Henry, account of 11 

Mrs., mother of Henry, excellent character of 12 

her bereavement and difficulties 12 

greatly alarmed at Henry becoming a Methodist 37 

Henry, placed under the care of an artist 15 

preference of books to business 15 

reasons of, for visiting London 15 



426 INDEX. 

Moore, Henry, quickly obtains employment in London. ..Page 15 

early Methodist companions helpful to him 44 

visits to the sick, and prisoners in Newgate 44 

much benefited by Mr. Wesley's writings 51 

becomes an exhorter, and occasional preacher 52 

preaching of, well attended and received 55 

commences, with success, a classical school 55 

meets one of his pupils in after years, then a D. C. L. 56 

kindly received by Mr. Wesley, when introduced 57 

preaches extempore, without previous arrangement.. 66 

becomes acquainted with Miss Young 66 

marriage of, to Miss Young 67 

injurious effects on, by self-denial 70 

extraordinary effects of bis faith and prayer 80 

life of, in danger, by passing over a marsh 86 

Christian perfection enjoyed by 87 

begins to travel with Mr. Wesley 96 

appointed by Mr. Wesley a trustee of his manuscripts 118 

prefers pastoral to editorial duties 123 

grieved at Dr. Whitehead's conduct 127 

receives ordination from Mr. Wesley 134 

opinion of, concerning the " concessions of 1797 " 178 

conscientious scruples of 193 

writes the address to King George III 197 

his character as a minister 204 

his reality of heavenly scenes in night visions 217 

great affection for Mrs. Moore during her illness 218 

feelings of, respecting Mrs. Tighe's life and death 231 

attends the conference at Sheffield, in 1811 240 

fear of, concerning Mrs. Moore's life 246 

social and domestic character of 278 

second marriage of 278 

publishes his discourse on the Epistle to the Romans. 279 

his pamphlet on the Eternal Sonship 279 

pacificatory visit to Ireland 281 

publishes the Life of Mrs. Fletcher 288 

anxious solicitude about the schism at Leeds 309 

preaches Dr. Adam Clarke's funeral sermon 323 

suffers from an attack of paralysis 323 

and Mrs. Moore, in danger of losing their lives by fire 324 

happy experience of 333 

profited by Rev. J. Fletcher's preaching 340 

social conduct of, and love of children 346 

letters and observations on his eighty-ninth birthday . 367 

accident to, falls from his horse 371 

attends the London district meeting and conference. . 377 

suffering from his last fit 394 

characteristic sketch of Mrs. Brackenbury 407 

last hours and happy death of 412 

character of, general summary 413 

Mrs., usefulness of, in the societies 210 

illness, and patient suffering of 232 



INDEX. 427 

Moore, Mrs. Henry, happy and peaceful death of Page 247 

account of her life and death 248 

holy life and conduct of 251 

ill health and devotedness of 252 

Mr. Wesley's kindness toward 254 

domestic character and benevolence of 255 

particulars of her last hours , 259-261 

holy character of, by Dr. Adam Clarke 261 

letter to, from Mrs. Hill 326 

illness and death of 328, 329 

Natural religion, difficulties in 348 

Newry, recovery from illness at, in answer to prayer 79 

usefulness of Mrs. Moore to the society at 82 

" Not my will, but Thine be done," a fine example of 81 

Occasional sermons, a reference to the preaching of 279 

Occurrences during a night set apart for prayer with condemned 

prisoners, in Dublin 48 

Officers of the society, rules for electing and removing the 173 

Opinion of Mr. Wesley concerning his societies after his death 104 

Open air preaching in Dublin, account of 99 

Ordination of Mr. Moore, esteemed by him a great privilege . . 97 

certificate of the 134 

Mr. Wesley's reasons for the 134 

defense of, among Methodists 136 

by presbyters, in America 138 

Dr. Coke's meeting at Litchfield concerning 139 

first received by the conference of 1837 344 

Mr. Moore's letter concerning 344 

Original plans of Methodism, adherence to the 170, 179 

Ostler, of Colchester, a notice of 350 

Painful exercise of mind concerning sinners 38 

Paradise neglected for Parnassus, the results of 231 

Pardon of sins, happy effects of the, on the mind 36 

Parnel's " Hermit," a quotation from 95 

Pawson, John, injudiciously burns the Wesley books and papers 180 

letter of, concerning burning the papers 180 

death of his brother 186 

conduct of, toward Dr. Whitehead 186 

his family endearments in heaven 188 

death of, and summary of his character 215 

Peace, general observations respecting 403 

Philanthropy personified 290 

Plan of Pacification, origin and design of the 146 

Pleasures, worldly, mental effects of 17 

Popish severities and superstitions detailed 72 

priest, anecdote of a 73 

confession of a 75 

severities practiced on St. Patrick's day in Ireland 85 

Portland chapel } Bristol, interesting procession to the 143 



428 INDEX. 

Portland, the duke of, mentioned Rage 341 

Poverty of spirit in class meetings, a check to happiness 43 

Preacher, requisites for a 112 

a, what he is required to bear with 113 

Preachers, itinerant and local, examinations of the 152 

rules to be observed by the 154 

Annuity Fund, history of the 189 

opposition to, and defense of the 192 

Mr. Moore's account of the 193 

Preaching of the early Methodists 18 

much encouraged at commencing the work of 52 

Mr. Moore's usual plan of 66 

the best or worst business in the world 397 

Predestination, reasonable objections to 21 

Present salvation preached by Mr. Wesley 18 

President of the conference, Mr. Wesley always acted as the . 124 

Priestley, Dr., anecdote of, respecting a Methodist preacher .. 358 

Prophetic and pastoral office, argument on the 135 

Proposal to study physic declined 99 

Professors of religion, becomes acquainted with some 17 

Providential arrest ; call to the work of the ministry 57 

restoration to health by eating apples 70 

Prodigal son, an illustration of the 224 

"Psyche," extraordinary profits of Mrs. Tighe's beautiful poem of 165 

account of, copies presented to Mr. Moore 212, 233 

Mr. Moore's high estimate of the poem 213 

concluding stanza of, quoted 214 

latest edition of, has no minor poems added 229 

character and illustrations of the poem 233 

copyright of, realized £500 241 

Sir J. Mackintosh's high opinion of the character of — 276 

Purgatory, the Christian only acknowledges Christ's atonement 231 

Qualifications of a preacher of the gospel 112 

Quondam friends, an interesting meeting of two 145 

Quarles' " Emblems," the cupid of, applicable to " Psyche" .. 215 

Quarterly meetings, directions for the, concerning new rules 175 

power of the, in checking new rules 177 

Queen's speech in 1844, notice of the 403 

Radcliffe, Dr., judge, anecdotes of 221, 223 

Reasons for publishing the Autobiography 10 

why Mr. Moore did not write more of his Life 117 

Reasonings respecting the early Christians disturb his mind. .. 29 

Receiving and excluding members of society 173 

Recognition of personal friends in heaven stated 396 

" Records of Woman," beautiful extract from the 236 

Redemption, extent and influence of the scheme of 360 

Regeneration, erroneously indentified with baptism 23 

Regulations made at the Leeds conference in 1797, detailed.. 171 

Religion compared with reason 294 

Religious superstition exemplified 75 



TNDEX. 429 

Resolution to devote himself to God Page 29 

to rely solely on Christ for the pardon of sin 31 

of soldiers to rescue two condemned companions 50 

Retires from the itinerancy 325 

Return to Dublin, from London, the first time 16 

Reynolds, John, interesting notices of 362, 370 

Riches, the use of, commended . 278 

Roberts, Thomas, letter of, respecting Mr. Moore's Life 312 

Rogues, a remarkable instance of honor among 51 

Rule of the conference respecting the value of time 256 

Rules of the Methodist societies defended 149 

the general, of the society, resolution respecting the 175 

Rural life, a pleasing sketch of 169 

Russel, John, of Liverpool, notice of 328 

Rutherford, Betsy, happy death of 200 

Mr. Thomas, death and character of 216, 368 

testimony of, concerning Dr. Hamilton =. . 268 

Sabbath breaking, effects of 89 

Sacraments, Mr. Wesley's plan for administering the 132 

and ordination, disputes respecting the. 135 

by presbyters, Dr. Coke recommends 139 

Sacrament, anecdote of Mr. Moore's objection to receive the 335 

Sailors, gallantry and hardihood of 265 

Salvation by grace, discovered by reading Epistle to Romans . . 22 

Schools, estimate of the value of 381 

Schoolmates, Henry's reception by, on his return to school 13 

Scriptures, commences the diligent study of the 40 

remarks concerning a new translation and version of the. 387 

Self-denial, severe, mental effects of 29 

of Mrs. Moore, severities of 252 

Sells his property to free himself from debt 20 

Separation of Methodism, a pamphlet concerning the 136 

Sermons seldom profitable to mere hearers 22 

and Life of Mr. Moore published 312 

Shakspeare's Plays, with Rev. J. Wesley's MS. notes, burnt.. 180 

Sirr, Major, account of 357 

Smith, Mr. Richard, letters addressed to 295, 297 

notices of Mr. Moore's visit to the family of. .346, 359, 362 

John Finch, affecting notice of 385 

Rosevear, kind advice to, and blessing on 392 

Mr. Frederick, visit to Mr. Moore 401 

Smyth, Rev. Edward, account of the 24 

Mrs. Agnes, mention and death of 84 

Society stewards and trustees, to whom responsible 343 

Sorrow, extent of its influence on the mind 226 

Spirit of love, the, united with a sound mind 36 

Stamp, Mi's. John, notice of 400 

Stanley, Jacob, letters from 324, 367 

Stevenson, G. J., letters to, on Mr. Moore's birthdays 380, 392 

St. George, a condemned prisoner, account of 45 

St. Patrick's day, the celebration of, in Ireland 85 



430 



INDEX. 



St. Patrick's Library, origin and account of the Page 162 

Strange mental visitation from God - 33 

Strangers' Friend Society, founder of the, in Dublin 45 

Strong feelings to remain steadfast in the faith 32 

Strule, a celebrated Romish station, anniversary proceedings at 85 

Sutcliffe, J. K., Esq., Mr. Moore's esteem for 390 

Joseph, friendly visit of, to Mr. Moore 398 

Talbot, Lady Ann, mention of 201 

Temporal matters, new rules adopted concerning 172 

Temptations to return into the world of sin and folly 27 

Thieves, Dr. Hamilton's narrow escape from 269 

Thompson, William, appointed first president of conference . . . 126 

Thomas, Esq., letter from 300 

Tighe, Mrs. Henry, notice of the marriage and beauty of 164 

completes her epic poem of " Psyche " 201 

suffers much from rheumatic affection 208 

interesting memorials of her life at Chelsea 209 

prefers to die at home rather than abroad 212 

mental influence of her philosophy 225 

account of her last hours 226 

receives the sure evidence of the favor of God. 228 

peaceful and happy death of 228 

Mrs. Hemans* interesting account of 234 

stanzas to the memory of 239 

Mrs. Hemans' lines, on visiting her tomb. 236, 238 

value of her poem of " Psyche " 241 

William, Esq., respectful notice of 232 

poems of, referred to, and one quoted 232 

Time, a valuable rule for the employment of. 256 

Tims, Mrs., letter relating to the death of 383 

Timidity of Mr. Moore in the pulpit in early life 340 

Trinity College, Dublin, examinations at the, and notices of 14 

Unbelief, distress of mind on account of 27 

not under the power of, for more than fifty years 54 

Variance, a good rule to reconcile parties at 318 

Visit to Mrs. Adam Clarke 333 

Visits to J. Hunter, Esq., and Mr. Richard Smith 346 

Voyage to Anglesea, description of a melancholy 195 

Walker, Rev. John, pamphlet of, against Methodism 205 

controversial pamphlet of, exposed 205 

publishes a pamphlet against the church 206 

answers to pamphlet by Messrs. Knox & Jebb 206 

trial and expulsion of, from his fellowship 207 

infatuation, poverty, and death of 207 

Ward, C, ensign, of 52d foot, Mrs. Blachford's inquiries after. 221 

Watch-night, first hears of one, and attends the 32 

the services of the, described 34 

Weare, Mr., extraordinary account of 61 



INDEX. 431 

Wesley, Rev. J., Mr. Moore's early impressions of Rag© 1? 

required more heat than light 51 

character of his writings 51 

placed next to the mayor at church 62, 318 

preaches a Whit-Sunday sermon in Ireland 65 

freat benefit of his preaching to Mr. Moore »„• * , 88 

ind attention of, to Mr. Moore 95 

death of i. 103 

effects which followed the death of 104 

scruples of, in appropriating property 119 

disputes concerning the will oL — - . * . . 105 

high regard of, for Mrs. Blachford 163 

hated by the Pharisaic and Antinomian world.. 206 

great regard and kindness of, for Mrs. Moore 255 

Mr. Howard's great regard for 289, 290 

Life of, by Mr. Moore, reference to its preparation 297, 300 

published in two vols. 304 

thoughts and sermons of, respecting his ministers and 

people 330-333 

Charles, his manner of preaching 18 

notice of his labors 94 

kindness of, to Mr. Moore 96 

notice of his death 102 

sketch of his character for integrity 253 

anecdote respecting his death 307 

Miss Sarah, letter of, concerning Mrs. Moore's death .. 254 

Lines of, to the memory of first Methodist preachers 306 

Whitehead, Dr., selected to write a Life of Mr. Wesley 122 

appointed to receive Mr. Wesley's papers 125 

strange conduct of, with Mr. Wesley's manuscripts 128 

return of Mr. Wesley's papers ; disposal of the 179 

design of, to be reinstated into Methodist society.. 181, 186 

letters concerning these proceedings 183 

death and funeral of 208 

Whitefield, Rev. George, mode of his church government 141 

and Wesley, differences of their religious teaching 320 

Will of Mr. Wesley, considered in conference, 1791 106 

Mr. Moore appointed a trustee to the 118 

particulars relating to the 119 

Williams, Thomas, account of the conduct of, in Ireland 316 

Williamson, Rev. Mr., Henry Moore's first classical teacher 12 

kind proposal of, to educate Henry Moore 12 

conduct pursued toward his pupil 13 

gives up his school, and reads for a fellowship 13 

sudden death of 15 

Wilson, Dr., F. T. C, respectful treatment of, to Mr. Wesley . 13 

Wood, Rev. Robert, visit to Mr. Moore 408 

Woodstock, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Tighe go to reside at 218 

very interesting description of 219 

Mrs. Henry Tighe 's last visit to 226 

notice of, by the O'Hara Family 236 

Mrs. Hemans' lines on visiting a tomb near 238 



432 



INDEX. 



Years, the rapid flight of, noticed ..Page 226 

Young, Miss, anecdote of, concerning early Methodism 64 

Mr. Moore becomes acquainted with 66 

Anne, interesting notice of 249 

Isabella, pleasing records of, in early life 249 

the Misses, severely tried by becoming Methodists 64 

happy influence of their good example 64 

a record of, from Mr. Wesley's Journal 66, 248 

Young's, Rev. — , kind treatment of Mr. and Mrs. Moore 69 

Zeal, premature, to tell of the loye of God 30 



THE END, 



\b1 82 




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